Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device upon which a user generally standing upright supported by foot platforms suspended from a frame via linkages in which the linkage lengths and pivot points correspond generally to the users upper and lower legs and hip and knee joints. This device not only allows natural free and spontaneous leg movement, able to simulate such exercises as walking, jogging, running, stepping, skiing or gliding, bicycling, climbing, reverse action and various isolated leg exercises, where the exercises can be performed at random generally without the need to reconfigure the device. This device preferably includes an isolation system capable of simulating natural forces throughout the entire range of movement in the horizontal and/or vertical plane. A safety/suspension system can be provided, alone or in combination with the isolation system, to resist sudden foot movement in the same direction, yet allows a slow and controlled tilting of the linkages whereby the user may simulate uphill and downhill travel.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application is based upon Provisional Application Ser. No.60/707,026 filed 11 Aug. 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, moreparticularly, to an exercise device permitting a user to performwalking, running, cross-country skiing and stair stepping exercises.

2. Background Information

A variety of exercise devices have been developed to simulate activitiesfound to be effective in conditioning the body. One type of exercisedevice, exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,302 to McFee, U.S. Pat. No.4,685,666 to DeCloux, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,872 to Dalton et al.permits a user to perform a stair stepping exercise simulating climbingstairs. Another type of exercise device, exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.4,850,585 to Dalebout, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,747 to Piaget, permits auser to perform a striding exercise simulating cross-country skiing orskating.

A disadvantage of such exercise devices is that the user cannot changethe type of exercise being performed without mechanical adjustment ofthe device. One exercise device, exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,290,211and 5,401,226 to Stearns permits a user standing on foot supports toperform simultaneously a stair stepping or climbing type exercise and across country skiing or skating type exercise. The foot supports aremounted on a pair of generally horizontal linkages pivotally connectedto a pair of vertical linkages at a first pivot location disposed atabout the same elevation as the user's feet allowing the horizontallinkage to pivot up and down. The vertical linkages are pivotallyconnected to a frame at a second pivot location spaced forwardly of theuser's feet and hips allowing the vertical linkages to move back andforth. While this type of device permits multiple exercises to beperformed, it suffers from many disadvantages when used to simulate someof the exercises described above. For example, a disadvantage ofmounting the horizontal linkages in cantilevered relation to thevertical linkages is that some force-resisting member is needed toprevent the foot supports from impacting the floor during use. Inaddition, complicated and costly mechanisms such as parallelogramlinkages are needed to counteract tilting of the foot supports indirections opposed to the natural direction or tilt of the user's feetduring certain types of exercises; and, even with such tilt correctingmechanisms, the foot supports are always maintained in a generalposition which does not necessarily correspond to the natural movementof the feet during certain exercises. Also, when used to performexercises involving swinging of the vertical linkages relative to theframe, the placement of the upper pivots forward of the user's hipcauses the foot supports to move in an arc having a geometric centeroffset from the user's hips, thereby detracting from the overall feeland stability of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to overcomethe above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and to improveexercise devices of the type, which permit striding, walking and otherexercises to be performed.

The present invention is generally characterized in an exercise devicethat permits a user to stand on foot supports suspended from a framesuch that they may generally perform at least walking, striding andstair stepping exercises by simply altering their leg motion, andengaging or not engaging optional arm poles for exercising the upperbody. Further, alternating from one exercise mode to the other may inmost cases be done without stopping movement or having to reconfigure ormake adjustments to the device. For example, to perform a stridingexercise, users can straighten their legs and swing them forward andbackward as if they were cross-country skiing. A stepping exercise canbe performed by alternating lifting one knee upward and lowering theother knee. Walking is performed by combining the striding and steppingmotions so that the legs move forward and backward while the knees moveup and down. The exercises mentioned above may be performed in anupright position but may also be performed in a more rearward or forwardtilted position if desired, as the user may simply shift body weight tocause elements of the machine to tilt, simulating uphill and downhilltravel. If an exercise device according to the present invention isprovided with optional arm poles or levers, a rearward tilted positionis had when the user pulls back on both arm poles while leaning back;the further back the user leans, and the greater the pulling forceagainst the arm poles, results in a greater degree of tilt or uphillsimulation. Downhill simulation is had, by the user leaning forward andpushing on the arm poles. The exercise device can be provided with anoptional safety mechanism that is coupled to the leg members and/or asuspension system linking movement of the leg members to counteractagainst the user from tilting too quickly past the desired angle oftilt. For example, two spring loaded hydraulic cylinders or a singledual action cylinder can be coupled with a suspension system to causethe tilt of the machine to occur in a more controlled and gradualfashion. Another advantage of such a safety mechanism is that itprevents the foot supports from suddenly moving together in the samedirection in an unsafe manner that could cause a user to lose balanceand fall.

In another embodiment a climbing exercise can be had by performing thesame leg movement as performed for stair climbing while engaging one ormore optional handles attached or linked to elements of the machine(such as arm poles) that travel generally upward and downward during themachine's use or travel up and down from a mounted position on theframe.

In another embodiment, for example as shown in FIGS. 18-23 b, thewalking, striding, stepping and climbing movements are made possible bymounting a suspension system upon the frame at a location near orsubstantially above the user's hips. Attached to and descending from thesuspension system, are support members, a left and a right, where atbottoms ends, a foot platform is affixed to support the user in anupright position. The support members, are attached to the suspensionsystem, and move in arcuate fashion from a pivot point located on thesuspension system from an element that generally moves upward anddownward, at a location near or substantially above the user's hips. Thesupport members travel in any path desired by the user, whereby the usercan move his or her feet back and forth, up and down, or in circular,elliptical, or in a freeform elliptical pattern. The horizontal,vertical and combination movements of the foot supports are madepossible by the support members movement attached to and from twoseparate pivot points on the suspension system, where from one point,movement is generally upward and downward, and movement from the otherpoint is generally backward and forward. Further, mechanical methods areused that link the twin suspension systems together and force theirmovements to perform in an opposite movement pattern from one another.Further, the simulation of uphill and downhill travel is accomplishedthrough manually changing the preset position of the suspension system.During the normal or flat ground mode the suspension system is adjusted,so that the foot supports are at a neutral preset position, where eachfoot support when directly side-by-side, are both positioned near to anddirectly below the user's hips. Uphill simulation can be had, when thepreset foot support position is brought forward of the user's hips,while conversely, downhill simulation is had when the foot supports aredrawn rearward to the user's hips. An automatic system using springs orhydraulic cylinders could replace the manual method of configuring thesuspension system to allow uphill and/or downhill simulation to adjustautomatically.

The support members described above may be used as a guide means todefine the movement patterns of a pair of foot supports suspended fromone or more leg members or linkages pivotally or glidingly attachedelsewhere on the frame, yet linked to the support members, for exampleas seen in FIGS. 24-28 b. Alternative foot support members would supportthe user through independent elements from the suspension system, yetmovement would still be controlled by the suspension system. Thealternative support member(s) could be used to control the tilt of thefoot supports to maintain an angular alignment close to the naturalangular alignment of the user's foot throughout the exercises performed.The support members may also be attached to or made apart of a motioncontrol system that may be used to simulate forces of momentum, such asthe use of a flywheel(s), to assist the user or to add further realismto the exercise(s). Continuous motion control devices may also beattached to any element influencing the movement of the foot supportsfor driving the device, similar to a motor on a motorized treadmill.Another system that could be coupled to the device to encouragecontinuous motion could include a flywheel coupled to a roller orflywheel/roller combination that may be engaged or activated when adownward force is present.

The exercise device according to the present invention can also beprovided with a horizontal isolation mechanism that creates resistanceto rearward movement of the leg members while causing little or noresistance to forward movement of the leg members. For example, thelinkages can be coupled to a one-way clutch that causes a flywheel to beengaged in response to rearward movement of a user's leg and releasesthe flywheel as the leg moves forward. In a preferred embodiment, theflywheel is disposed within the frame of the exercise device for quietoperation.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts in each of theseveral figures are identified by the same reference numerals or byreference numerals having the same last two digits, unless otherwisespecified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the bestmode in which applicant contemplated applying the principles of theinvention, are set forth in the following description and are shown inthe drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of exercise device shown in FIGS. 1 &2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3, partly insection, showing the configuration of the device with the leg linkagesdrawn to a forward position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3, partly insection, showing the configuration of the device with the leg linkagespositioned more rearward.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-5 showing theposition of the leg members and suspension system when operating intilted uphill mode.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-5 showing theposition of the leg members and suspension system when operating intilted downhill mode.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary partial view of the rear upper portion of theexercise device shown in FIGS. 1-7. The portion of FIG. 8 left of thecenter line shows the deflection of the spring rod when the device is inuphill mode as seen in FIG. 6; the portion of FIG. 8 right of the centerline shows the same spring rod when in the downhill mode as shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary partial side view of a second embodiment of anexercise device according to the present invention with modified kneejoint cam to slow rate of rotation of lower leg linkage to improvesimulation accuracy.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary partial side view of a third embodiment of anexercise device according to the present invention showing a disk andidler pulley as a replacement for the sprocket.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention showing hydraulic resistance membersextending from the frame to the lower leg members.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention, partly in section, showing a systemof resistance using a cam, one-way clutch and flywheel mounted to rotateinside of round tube frame member. Also shown is a modified arm leverwhich is pivotally attached to upper leg link and linked to lower leglink via a linkage bar resulting in a greater range of arm movement ascompared to arm pole fixed to upper leg linkage as shown in previousFIGS. 1,2-11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an exercisedevice according to the present invention featuring a leginterlink/safety system utilizing spring loaded hydraulic cylinders tocontrol rate of user tilt. This device also utilizes an alternativeresistance configuration and an added arm exercise method.

FIG. 13A is a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 13

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary partial rear bottom view of FIG. 13, featuringthe spring-loaded hydraulic cylinders of the leg interlink/safety/tiltsystem and a spring coupling within the cord segment connecting legmembers for assisting generally vertical movement.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention that marries leg components to workin conjunction with a modified treadmill like embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention where foot supports suspend from aframe, support user and control impact upon engagement with treadmilllike system.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a ninth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention, which marries leg components to abicycle-like configuration.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of an exercisedevice according to the present invention using a suspension systemmounted substantially above the hip pivot.

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the upper portion of the deviceshown in FIG. 18 showing the suspension system.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 18, with theaddition of arm levers.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 18, showinga modified drive system.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 18, showinganother modified drive system.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 18 showingthe foot supports in a neutral preset position.

FIG. 23A is the same side view of the exercise device in FIG. 23,showing the foot supports preset in a rearward downhill simulationposition.

FIG. 23B is the same side view of the exercise device in FIG. 23,showing the foot supports preset in a forward uphill simulationposition.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of an exercisedevice according to the present invention with the addition ofalternative leg members with arm poles.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 24

FIG. 26A is the same side view as FIG. 25, illustrating the deviceoperating in a walking mode.

FIG. 26B is the same side view as FIG. 25, illustrating the deviceoperating in a stepping or climbing mode.

FIG. 26C is the same side view as FIG. 25, illustrating the deviceoperating in a cross-country skiing or gliding mode.

FIG. 27 is a side view of a twelfth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention, showing modified alternative legmembers.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 24,illustrating the exercise device configured in a neutral presetposition.

FIG. 28A is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 24,illustrating the exercise device configured in a downhill presetposition.

FIG. 28B is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 24,illustrating the exercise device configured in an uphill presetposition.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary side view of the device shown in FIG. 20illustrating the configuration and attachment of the cable to the guidedisks.

FIG. 29A is cut-through view of the guide disk shown in FIG. 29 showinga method of attaching the cable to the guide disk.

FIG. 29B is a cut-through view of the guide disk shown in FIG. 29showing an attachment element to the cable and means for selectivepositioning upon the guide disk.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing handle attachments for theexercise device shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 31 is a side view illustrating a modified foot support for use inan exercise device according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of an exercisedevice according to the present invention illustrating another method ofsuspending foot supports from a frame.

FIG. 33 is a side view of a fourteenth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention featuring flexible leg linkages andtelescoping linkages.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view a fifteenth embodiment of an exercisedevice according to the present invention featuring a horizontalisolation system linked to a specific resistance source. This devicealso features an improved safety/suspension system, as well as, otherdistinct features.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 34

FIG. 36 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 34 showing anoptional seat and back support. Also shown is an optional adjustabletilt foot platform.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 34 showing anoptional climbing pole attachment, and an optional arm handle in afolded down position.

FIG. 38 is a partial sectional rear view of the upper rear portion ofthe device illustrated in FIG. 34 showing the horizontal resistancesystem, consisting of a drive pulley, internal flywheel housing one-wayclutches.

FIG. 39 is a partial sectional side view of the upper rear portion ofthe device illustrated in FIG. 38, taken through 40-40, showing theattachment of the safety/suspension system to the frame and flywheelbraking mechanism.

FIG. 40 is a side view of a sixteenth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention having an alternative horizontalresistance system.

FIG. 41 is a side view of a seventeenth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention featuring an alternative horizontalisolation system and horizontal resistance system.

FIG. 42 is a side view of an eighteenth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention featuring an alternative horizontalisolation system.

FIG. 43 is a side view of a nineteenth embodiment of an exercise deviceaccording to the present invention featuring a momentum weight shown asan alternative or additive method of influencing generally horizontalleg movement.

FIG. 44A is a top view of a safety/suspension system for disallowingsudden foot movement in an exercise device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 44B is the same top view of same safety/suspension system shown inFIG. 44A, however in this figure the system is manipulated in an uphilltravel mode, where user is tilted back.

FIG. 44C is the same top view of same safety/suspension system shown inFIGS. 44A & 44B, however in this figure the system is manipulated in adownhill travel mode, where user is tilted forward.

FIG. 45A is a top view of a similar safety/suspension system as shown inFIGS. 44A-44C, however a single dual action hydraulic cylinder is usedto serve virtually the same function as if two separate cylinders (one acompression and one an extension type) where used.

FIG. 45B is a top view of a similar safety/suspension system as shown inFIGS. 44A-44C illustrating a braking and ball detent system whereby thesuspension system may be encouraged to stop in intervals or lockedthrough a brake handle.

FIG. 46 is a partial side view of two similar arm poles or handles foran exercise device according to the present invention with fineadjustment knobs. Arm handles may optionally be configured to be removedor rotated to a storage position.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of an exercisedevice according to the present invention featuring yet anothermechanism for influencing generally horizontal leg movement. Also shown,is an alternative lift assist configuration having an adjustable meansallowing the user to adjust and maintain the preset tension of thespring(s).

FIG. 48 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 47, showing in hiddenline form, the drive cord and stretch cord of the horizontal resistancesystem housed within the frame members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An exercise device, generally indicated 10, according to the presentinvention, as shown in FIGS. 1-10, include a pair of foot supports 28suspended from a frame 12 via a pair of linkages 30. Frame 12 is formedof tubular steel and includes a base 18 formed by a pair of parallelbase members adapted to rest on a horizontal surface such as a floor, apair of uprights 14 extending upward from each base member at an angle,a frame extension 16 formed of a pair of tubular steel members extendingforward from the uprights at a perpendicular angle away from upperportion of uprights to a forward position about the user's hips. Affixedto the forward end of each extension tube 16 is a bracket 22 from whicheach leg linkage 30 is pivotally attached. Each leg linkage 30 includesan upper linkage 32 pivotally connected at a first end to a framebracket 22 at a hip pivot 24 and pivotally connected at a second end toa lower linkage 34 at a knee pivot 36, such that the knee and hip pivotsare generally aligned with the knees and hips, respectively, of a userstanding on the foot supports to permit the user to perform walking,striding and stepping exercises, simply by altering their leg motion.

Left and right sides of frame 12 are joined together by a bridge tube20, which extends horizontally between upper ends of frame uprights 14,maintaining the uprights spaced apart a distance adequate enough toallow the user to stand comfortably between left and right sides of theframe and to operate the device without interference. The bridge tube 20is formed of round steel tubing sturdy enough to hold left and rightsides of frame 12 stable when device is operational. The round shape ofthe bridge tube provides a surface for which the suspension system 40rotates about as defined by the user as the user changes body tilt tosimulate uphill and/or downhill travel. Suspension system 40 includes acurved arc plate 42 extending at least partly around bridge tube 20 andsecured with a clamp or the like allowing rotation about the bridgetube. The suspension system further includes one or more gussets 43extending radially outward from arc plate 42 to a first suspension tube44 oriented parallel to the bridge tube, and a second suspension tube 46fitted telescopically within the first suspension tube for rotationtherein. A pair of pulleys 52 are mounted on brackets 48 at oppositeends of the second suspension tube to rotate therewith relative to thefirst suspension tube. In addition, suspension system 40 is shown asincluding a third suspension tube 60 secured to a bottom portion of arcplate 42 in parallel relation to the bridge tube. A swing bar 62 extendslongitudinally through the third suspension tube 60 and is pinned insidethe tube at 68 to pivot thereabout. More specifically, the suspensionsystem works as follows: As the leg members 30 swing back and forth fromhip pivot 24, the back and forth generally opposite swing pattern ofeach upper leg linkage 32 is permitted through the arrangement oflinkages, making up the leg interlink system, linking one upper leglinkage to the other. A few inches below the hip pivot, a short link 76is at its forward end pivotally attached to the upper leg linkage andthe rearward end is pivotally attached to both a control link 72 andlinkage rod 66 through rod ends 64 affixed to each end of linkage rod66. Control link 72 pivotally attaches at its upper end to bracket 22just behind the hip pivot 24. The linkage rods 66 at their rearward endpivotally attach to their corresponding end of swing bar 62. Swing bar62 swings forward and away nearly parallel to the ground, having acenter distance pivot 68 located within tube housing 60, which isaffixed to the underneath of arc plate 42, which travels about bridgetube 20 as defined by the user. As left and right linkages 76, 72 and 66move in direct opposite fashion to one another, as a result of theirconnection to and action of the swing bar 62; upper leg linkages 32 movegenerally opposite to one another, but not in perfect synchronization.Sub linkage system 70 made up of short link 76 and control link 72,which bridges upper leg link 32 to linkage rod 66, allows the upper leglink to move forward at a slightly faster rate than the opposite upperleg link swinging in the rearward direction. As the upper leg link 32moves forward, the control link 72 pulls up on short link 76 drawing theforward end of the linkage rod 66 nearer to the hip pivot. This featuremore accurately simulates the exercise by allowing the leg of the userto move forward at a faster rate and with more slack than the rearwardleg. If the swinging movement of each leg member were to be held in astrict opposite movement pattern, the forward moving faster leg wouldexperience excessive resistance, held back, by the slower rearwardmoving opposing leg.

There are several advantages to the above horizontal leg interlinksystem made up of components 62, 66, 68, 72 & 76 and the suspensionsystem 40. As this system allows generally only an opposite movementpattern between leg linkages 30, it helps ensure safety by restrictingthe user from suddenly and dangerously falling forward or backward fromthe machine, by disallowing the leg members to suddenly move together inthe same directions. The system is also used to control rate of tilt andto automatically maintain a constant foot platform raise assist cord 92tension and length throughout the full tilt range, ranging from uphillto downhill tilted operation. Maintaining a constant cord length andtension is desirable in order for the user to experience a fluid strideheight consistency; as the user changes body tilt position the verticalrange of motion available should preferably stay nearly the same.

The rate and degree of tilt by the user, whether forward to simulatedownhill travel or backward to simulate uphill travel, are bothcontrolled by a spring bar 98, as best seen in FIGS. 6-8. Each end ofthe spring bar 98 is held in position by a keeper component affixed tobridge tube 20, while the center of the spring bar is captured and heldby an extension of and from arc plate 42. As arc plate 42 is caused torotate about bridge tube, as the user changes body tilt position, thespring bar is forced to flex and resist against arc plate's 42 rotationabout bridge tube 20. As the user tries to increase tilt angle, theopposing force generated by the spring bar's increased flexure creates agreater force against the user trying to increase tilt. While standingupright in the neutral position, no resistance is present as the springbar is straight and at rest. Other types of springs or combinationsthereof may be configured to machine instead of spring bar to act as acentering system centering user to stand upright and causing increasedresistance against user desiring to increase tilt angle for uphill anddownhill exercise position. Other means integrated into this systemcould make use of braking systems, ball detents for graduatedpositioning, magnets, computer controlled motors or combination ofcomponents to make this tilt feature effective, safe, and convenient tothe user. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the use of two hydraulic cylinders 93 and95 having return springs that allow tilt, but in a slower controlledrate.

As each system of this device 10 is easier to describe alone, it is farmore difficult and complex to describe the integration and harmony ofthe systems working and acting together. In other words, in this devicewhich has foot platforms 28 suspended from a frame 12 by leg linkages 30made up of an upper linkage 32 and lower linkage 34, pivoting via hippivot 24 and knee pivot 36, the leg components by themselves would justhang down from their attachment to the frame and could only swing backand forth by the user, not able to move up then down in the verticalplane, unless strapped to the user's feet. Bringing vertical movement tolife in this device, a drive cord 92 is attached from one lower leg link34 to the other via generally guide pulleys and or sprockets, spools orthe like. The attachment of the flexible drive component 92 to the lowerlink 34 is made at a point near to and just behind the knee pivot 36such that as the cord 92 is drawn upward the lower leg link 34 is causedto pivot up and back, similar to the human lower leg when lifting theheel. The flexible drive component 92 may be a cord, cable, chain, belt,linkages or like or combination thereof. The attachment point of cord 92to lower link 34 is at a point where the initial onset of downwardresistance goes from less to greater as the lower link travels from aheel upward or knee bent position to a position of leg extended downwardor straightened position. The use of a cam 88 affixed to lower linkageabout the knee, as seen in FIGS. 9 & 10 shows a more dramatic way ofvarying the resistance from less to greater to more accurately simulatemovement and achieve a more stable feel, by balancing the rate ofmovement between the upper linkage 32 and lower linkages 34 as the footplatform 28 lower and move back during the various exercise modes.Resistance against the downward movement of the upper link is alsovariable, however the resistance changes from greater to less as theupper linkage 32 lowers from knee 36 up and forward, to knee 36 down andback. Variable resistance is produced through the mechanical advantagechange against the pulling of the drive cord 92 from the pulley orsprocket 88-88 e from which the cord 92 is directed and coupled toresistance element such as hydraulic cylinder 90 as shown in FIGS. 1-10& 12. The drive cord 92 is directed from and about position 23, which isjust above and forward hip pivot 24. Coupling drive cord 92 to theresistance member 90 is accomplished as follows: As the drive cord 92attaches to lower link 34 it is also attached at it opposite upper endto or engages sprocket or pulley 88 causing shaft 86, at component 88'saxis to rotate as lower link pulls when straightening. Also affixed toshaft 86 is a disk or cam 84, which causes resistance cord 94 to spoolaround as it pulls upon resistance member 90. Resistance member 90 has aspring-return to return cylinder 90 to a start position as the lowerlinkage 34 rotates heel upward. The configuration and use of a flexiblemember 94 linked to pull resistance member 90 is done in a fashiondescribed and best shown in FIGS. 4,5,9 & 10 to enable instantaneousonset of resistance as upper and lower linkages pull when movingrearward and down, while near zero resistance is present as linkagesreturn forward and up. The flexible member 94 insures that zeroresistance is maintained for the return stroke of the leg 30. If theresistance member 90 is unable to retract as fast as the user returnsleg the flexible member 94 will crimp, unable to push against resistancemember 90 which would cause undesirable resistance against forward legstroke.

While the flexible drive cord 92 pulls against resistance member 90 viashaft 86 and flexible cord 94, drive cord 92, continues to makes its wayfrom one lower link to the other by channeling through the device asdirected by pulleys, thus linking one leg linkage 30 to the other, wheredownward movement of one leg causes the other leg to move upward andforward. As the above action describes an instantaneous equal reactionwhere one leg drives the other with same force, this is not the case, asthere is a spring or spring like component 50, as seen in FIG. 3,coupled to and separating the drive cord 92 into two separate cords. Thepurpose of spring is to rather than directly link each leg 30 to oneanother it rather and more effectively indirectly links one leg to theother. This configuration is more beneficial for three reasons: 1) Asthe forward moving leg travels forward and begins to lower it isdesirable to only have resistance form the resistance member 90 and notbe opposed against by downward forces created by the other leg. Thespring breaks the link between opposing leg members. 2) As there ispresent a return-spring within the resistance member, not only causingthe resistance member to reset itself, yet also applies some forcetoward the raising of the lower leg linkage 34 to draw upward, so as tokeep the foot platform 28 held underneath user's foot as foot is lifted.The return spring does exert some force toward this goal, yet it isdesirable that the return spring not have to great a force to causeexcessive resistance against the exercise functions nor have to great aforce to cause lower leg linkages to each draw to far upward making itmore difficult to mount and dismount from the device. 3) The spring 50coupled to the drive cord 92 enables the user to enjoy the versatilityand ease of use by being able to enjoy a movement pattern having verylittle vertical displacement as preferred when skiing or gliding orflatter walk or able to enjoy a much more vertical movement pattern bestsuited for jogging or high stepping. The range of movement is automaticfor the user as dictated by the user's leg movement. The spring 50 iseasily lengthened by the applied weight of the user upon the footplatforms, yet the spring has enough tension to at least partially liftfoot platforms towards the goal of maintaining foot platform alignmentup against and under the user's foot regardless of the height the userlifts his foot up. Alone, the spring 50 and return-springs within eachresistance member 90 are only able to generate enough force to partiallylift foot platforms, however, as the user forces one foot platform downthe further extended spring now generates a greater force, enough toraise foot platform the desired height.

The movement of the leg members 30 are linked and integrated to thesuspension system as a result of the drive cord 92 channeling throughthe suspension system by encircling pulleys 48 which are housed withinpivot tube 46 which rotates within housing tube 44 affixed to arc plate42 of the suspension system 40. A pulling force is applied against thesuspension system as the user exerts force on the drive cord 92, lessthe force absorbed by the resistance member 90.

To understand better the workings of the system, which maintains a nearconstant length, and tension in the drive cord 92, view FIGS. 6 & 7. Asthe user draws both legs forward, as seen in FIG. 6, by leaning back andpulling both arm handles 26 back simultaneously, to perform uphilltravel, the horizontal linkage system is drawn forward causingsuspension system 40 to rotate back around bridge tube 20, therefore,taking idler pulleys 52 back and away along with the drive cord 92. Ifthe pivot location 23 were at, closer to, under, or behind hip pivot 24,then the drive cord 90 would seem to shorten causing the leg members 30to draw upward. However, since as the attachment point of the drivemember to the lower link 34 draws closer to the pivot location 23 alongwith the suspension system rotating back and away, the drive cordmaintains nearly the same tension. This process works in reverse fashionas the user reconfigures the device toward and into the downhill mode,as seen in FIG. 7.

An exercise device 10D according to the present invention, as seen inFIG. 11, features the device having a resistance member 90D attached atone end to the frame at pivot point 23D and the lower end attacheddirectly to lower linkage 34D at a point to still cause less to greatervariable resistance to be had by the lower link 34D and greater tolesser resistance to upper linkage 32D. To ensure that there is noresistance hindering the forward and upward return of the leg members aflexible member (not shown) could be used as a bridge in attachingresistance member 90D to either frame or lower linkage 34. Also notshown is a horizontal leg interlink or suspension system, which couldcertainly be coupled to this device.

An exercise device 10E according to the present invention, as seen inFIG. 12, features the device using a flywheel 91 housed inside bridgetube 20E with a braking mechanism (not shown) to generate resistanceagainst the user during exercise. A one-way clutch positioned inside ofa drive pulley or sprocket 57 causes resistance to occur only as the legmembers 30E swing backward and down. A cam spool 55 may replace a morecircular spool pulley to create a more natural resistance feel.Different degrees of resistance having different variable curves appliedindividually to each upper and lower leg linkages individually cansimulate different types of terrain that may be traveled, such as a fasttrack or muddy like ground surface.

Further illustrated in FIG. 12 is an arm lever or pole 26E, which ispivotally linked to the upper linkage 32E, as well as, linked to thelower linkage 34E via member 35. The result to this configuration is anarm pole having a greater range of motion as it not only moves at a ratealong with the swing of the upper linkage yet, the movement of the armpole 26E is also cause to move further by the pivot movement of thelower linkage.

An exercise device 10F according to the present invention, as seen inFIG. 13, shows still another configuration creating nearly the sameresults as previously shown devices. Unique to this device 10F and bestseen in FIG. 14 showing lower rear view of device 10F, is the use ofhydraulic cylinders 93 & 95 each having return-springs, used as part ofthe suspension system. These cylinders 93 & 95 slow rate of forward andrearward tilt as a result of the dampening affect of the hydrauliccylinders, tilt occurs much slower then when using a spring or springbar 98A&B as seen in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 15 & 16 show how a modified treadmill T can act as a landingplatform for an exercise device 110 or 110B according to the presentinvention, in which foot platforms suspended from a frame to carry auser in one of the ways described herein and absorb user selecteddegrees of impact upon making contact with the treadmill belt B. Thetreadmill may use a single belt B as a contact surface or may use aplurality of belts in the form of narrow continuous ligaments per eachfoot and positioned under and in line to make interference with fallingfoot platform. An additional advantage to the shock absorbing nature ofthis device, arm poles 126 linked to the linkage(s) suspended from theframe, offer a means for the user to exercise his upper body. Further,as the user is held in a stationary position as a result of standingupon foot platforms which swing back and forth having a pivot pointlocated and held near center of the modified treadmill, the user mayexercise free of concern with having to apply effort towards remainingwithin the treadmill limits.

An exercise device 210, shown in FIG. 17, includes a frame 212 in theform of a bicycle and leg linkages 230 mounted from the frame tofunction as the pedals and crank arms of the bicycle and to drive thewheel(s). For example, a drive cable 292 can be attached at one end to aleg linkage 230 and routed around one or more pulleys to drive the frontsprocket of the bicycle via a one-way clutch 257. This modified bicycleexercise device using leg linkages allows the user to propel oneself byincorporating a variety of different movement patterns, rather thanforced to only crank pedals in a circular fixed pattern as on thestandard bicycle. The user can use the handle bars 226 attached to thefront wheel of the bicycle frame or optional arm levers (not shown)could be attached to the leg linkages as shown in previous embodimentsto allow greater use of the body towards driving this device. Arm leversattached to the leg linkages could further be used to steer the devicewhile being used to propel the device as well. Also shown in FIG. 17 isan optional seat 217 allowing the user the option to operate theexercise device much like a standard bicycle.

This device 210 could further be modified to be used as a stationaryexerciser or coupled to a floating platform for which the leg linkageswould be used to propel this modified boat to travel on water.

An exercise device 310 according to the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 18-23 b, includes a pair of foot supports 312 affixed or pivotallyattached to the lower end of the support members 314. Support members314 are affixed to suspension disks 355 which are pivotally attached tolever arms 318 at attachment locations 330. The pivotal attachmentlocation 330 is located above and in general vertical alignment with theposition of the user's hips when user stands upon foot supports 312 whenfoot supports are positioned in near vertical alignment below the user'ships. The other end of the arm lever 318 is pivotally attached to frame320 at location 332 on the same horizontal plane as pivot attachmentlocation 330. The distance between pivotal locations 330 and 332 must begreat enough to allow the vertical distance traveled by location 330during its arcuate path from center point 332 to be at least equal tothe vertical range of motion needed to perform the multitude ofexercises. Pivot 332 is located within and through frame member upright322. Frame member 322 is made of tubular steel and stands connected uponbase 324 to hold pivot location 332 in a fixed position upon the frameat a location around shoulder height and rearward to the user whenmounted upon the device. Base 324 is of generally U-shaped configurationfor the purpose of joining the two symmetrical left and righthemispheres of the device 310 and to hold the entire device stable uponthe floor.

Support members 314 are linked together via cable 340 which path isdefined by a series of pulleys 350 that are attached to lever arms 318near and about pivot locations 332. The pulleys 350 are configured nearand about pivot axis location 332 for maintaining position relative tothe suspension disks 355 such that cable 340 will maintain constanttension as the suspension disks pivot back and forth. The pulleys 350and cable 340 are also configured in such a way to force the supportmembers 314 to move in an opposite direction pattern from one another.As the suspension disks 355 are affixed to support members 314 and sharepivot locations 330, the two parts move together in opposite rotation.Suspension disks 355 are flat pie shaped material having a thicknessjust enough to allow the cable 340 to be attached and to provide a trackor groove for cable 340 to travel within. Suspension disks 355 arepivotally attached to lever arms 318. The groove or channel 357maintains a consistent arc shape with a radius near to but less than thedistance between pivot location points 330 and 332, as shown in FIG. 20.The radii of suspension disks 355 are, as large as possible to minimizesloppy movement at the foot supports 312 due to the mechanical advantageor distance that the foot supports 312 are from the pivot location 330.While the suspension disks 355 have a radius as large as possible tominimize slop, they must be small enough to allow the arrangement ofpulleys 350 to be able to pick up and transfer cable 340 from thesuspension disks 355 and direct the same cable 340 across the pivotlocation 332's axis to the same pulley arrangement 350 located on theother hemisphere of suspension system 316. Cable 340 must run close inalignment to pivot location 332's axis in order to maintain constanttension in the cable system, as the lever arms 318 pivot up and down inopposite directions. The suspension disk's arc 357 length is at amanufactured determined length, whereby the angle distance between thetop and bottom of the arc 357 is equal or greater than the greatestangle of movement made by the back and forth movement of the supportmembers 314. During the skiing or gliding exercise were the lever arms318 are kept in nearly a stationary horizontal position, total angle ofrotation of the suspension disk 355 directly equal to the back and forthswing of the support members 314. During the walking, stepping andclimbing exercise, the total angle of rotation by the suspension disks355 is a cumulated sum of the greatest angle of movement by the leverarms, during upward and downward motion, and the rotation of thesuspension disks 355 upon the lever arms, created by the back and forthswing of the support members 314.

The routing of cable 340 upon suspension system 316 controllinggenerally horizontal movement of the foot supports 312 is shown in FIGS.19 and 29. Looking at and starting with the top portion of thesuspension disk 355 on the left hemisphere of suspension system 316 atthe beginning of arc 357 it will be found that one end of cable 340 isattached to suspension disk 355 at attachment location 342 by way ofbeing held in place by a nut 359 threaded over the hollowed outall-thread 357 into which the cable 340 is threaded and kept frompulling out by a cable stop sleeve 353. From attachment location 342 thecable 340 follows the cable channel upon the suspension disk's rearwardperimeter in the arc of the suspension disk 355 and picks up pulley 352by wrapping around pulley 352, first making contact with pulley 352 inits groove located tangent to and in alignment with suspension disk's355 arc. Cable 340 than tucks under and around pulley 352 and leavescontact with the nearly opposite side of pulley 352 on its way upward topulley 354 which is turned on perpendicular angle to pulley 352 and isin alignment with pulley 352 such that the cable 340 may engage pulley354. Pulley 354 then redirects cable 340 to pulley 354′ on the oppositeor right hemisphere of suspension system 316. Now referring to the righthemisphere of suspension system 316, cable 340 follows the same path inmirror image to the left hemisphere. Therefore, cable 340 catches thetop portion of pulley 354′ which is in line with other pulley 354 and inline with pivot location 332, and pulley 354′ directs cable downward topulley 352′ which in turn directs cable up and over to suspension disk355′ of the right hemisphere. Cable 340 then becomes in bedded into thechannel in the arc of the suspension disk 355 and travels upward andaround the top of the suspension disk 355 finding the cable groove inthe remaining perimeter and following the perimeter of the suspensiondisk 355 until reaching the bottom of the arc where it travels upwardwithin the cable channel upon the arc. Cable 340 then picks up pulley352′ which redirects cable 340 along the axis of pivot location 332 andparallel to cable 340 running the opposite direction, to pulley 352 onthe left hemisphere. Cable 340 is then directed in the downwarddirection by pulley 352 to again be attached and terminate intosuspension disk at location 344 near the bottom of the arc by sameattachment means as attached to location 342. Tension can be increasedto remove slack in cable 340 by tightening 359 upon threaded sleeves357.

Located on the underside of suspension disk 355′, of the same righthemisphere, is selector bracket 360. Selector bracket 360 clamps ontocable 340 by pressure exerted against cable through the act oftightening setscrews 361 against same cable 340. The location upon whichselector bracket 360 is affixed to cable 340 corresponds to theadjustment holes 363 positioned along the underside of suspension disk355′. Attachment of selector bracket 360 to one of the selector holes363 is accomplished by insertion of selector pin 362, which travelsthrough a hole in selector bracket and through one of a series ofselector holes 363. With selector pin 362 disengaged, suspension disks355 becomes unlinked to each other, whereby the position of supportmembers 314 may be altered such that the foot supports 312 may be presetmore rearward to simulate downhill travel or preset more forwardly tosimulate uphill travel, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b. To presetthe foot supports 312 rearward, the user selects a hole position moreforwardly on the suspension disk, and visa versa to preset the footsupports 312 more rearward.

Suspension system 316 as describe above is capable, as is, to performall movements to allow the user to perform the multitude of exerciseslisted earlier. However, as a further enhancement to the basicsuspension system 136, it is preferred that an additional mechanism beadded to the suspension system 316 to better control the movement of thelever arms 318, therefore, becoming the primary means of linking onelever arm 318 to each other. The arcuate movement path of the lever arms318 translates into the vertical movement pattern of the foot supports312. As the vertical downward force is the greatest force upon thesuspension system 316, it is preferred but not necessary that a morestructurally sound linkage means be in place to control and alternate,in opposite movement pattern, the movement of the lever arms 18. Thereare many methods that would suffice, one example of a method forinterlinking arm levers 318 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. A cable 370 isattached to the lever arm 18 at a location nearly midway between pivotlocations 330 and 332 and is routed upward around pulley 372 which isbolted to frame member 324, that is perpendicularly attached to framemember 322. After cable 370 makes its way around the forward and top ofpulley 372, it then is routed around pulley 374, which is attached toframe member 326, which is the upper bridge that connects bothhemispheres of the frame 322. Pulley 374 changes the direction of cable370 sending cable 370 to the other hemisphere of the frame to otherpulley 374, in turn to pulley 372, and back down to other lever arm 318to an attachment point an equal distance from pivot point 332,corresponding to the location of attachment to the lever 318 on theother hemisphere. The weight of the components linked to the lever arms318 is keeps in constant tension. As the user exerts downward forcesupon one of the foot supports 312, cable 370 is pulled downward by thecorresponding lever arm 318, which in turn the same cable 370 pullsupward on the other lever arm 318, which translates into the upwardmovement of the corresponding foot support 312.

A resisting means such as a hydraulic piston 390 may be attached to thelever arms 318 and fixed to the frame in a fashion that will causeresistance and/or shock absorption to the vertical downward travel ofthe foot supports 312 as the user's foot induces pressure upon the footsupport 312, as shown in FIGS. 18,20-23 b.

Handles 380, shown in FIG. 30, may be attached to the lever arms 318near the forward end so that the user can grasp and exert pulling forcesto simulate climbing exercises. A more realistic climbing exercise ismade available using arm handles 382 attached to the inner and upperportions of the suspension disks 355 nearer to the arc 357. The handles382 mounted at this location on each suspension disk 355 travels furthervertically due to the combined movement of the pivoting lever arms 318and the suspension disks 355, which gives the user a greater range ofmotion when performing the climbing exercise. The arm handles 382 may beremoved or may be rotated to lay along side the suspension disks 355 forstorage, and may in addition, be adjustable in height to accommodate thereach of different size users.

Suspension system 316, as described above, and shown in the specifiedfigure drawings, show a system that integrates horizontal and verticalmovements such that the attached support member 314 with foot supports312 can move in an endless combination of back and forth and up and downmovements; having consistent, fluid motion at all times, unlike systemsthat involve two separate systems that control horizontal and verticalmovement. It needs to be pointed out that this invention of integratinghorizontal and vertical movements into a single operating system may beachieved, as well, using components other than those described above.The lever arms 318, for example, that control and allow verticalmovement, by pivoting up and down a distance sufficient enough tofulfill the vertical displacement requirements of the exercises, may besubstituted with telescoping members or carriage systems, that maytravel up and down, yet still offer pivotal connection to the supportmembers 314. The generally horizontally moving control members may bemodified to accommodate the telescoping members thru the use ofcomponents that still control horizontal movement and yet are notinfluenced or interfered upon by the telescoping components.

Coupling horizontal and vertical movement patterns into one integratedsystem lends itself to other applications within the exercise fieldwhere infinite movement possibilities are desirable. In the sameexercise field, alternative foot supporting members could be married tothe basic suspension system 316 to achieve additional functionalcapabilities or enhance appearance. In FIGS. 24-28 b alternative legmembers, illustrated in devices 410 and 510 are shown coupled to thesuspension system 316 through a pivotal attachment means 488 and 588,

Device 410 provides an exercise device that makes use of the samesuspension systems 316, 316 a, and 316 b, shown as device 310 in FIGS.18-23 b, with a modification to the support members 314, such that footsupports 312 have been removed from support members 314 and made apartof an alternative pair of leg members 400. These alternative leg members400 are pivotally attached to frame branches 428 stemming off from frame420's frame uprights 422 at locations 434. Some advantages ofalternative legs 400 coupled to suspension system 116 is to: 1) bring tothe exercise device another means to which foot supports 412 may beattached and support the user, 2) offer a vehicle for which arm levers490 can be mounted and coupled to the leg movement, and 3) be a meansfor automatically changing the tilt of the foot supports 412 and 512 tofollow the natural angular position of the user's feet during allexercises. The legs 400 also prevent the support members 414 fromdropping to the floor and provide a means to the user to be able toselect a number of settings that represent different degrees ordifferent distances of vertical movement that can be obtained by theuser.

Each leg 400 includes an upper support or link 482 pivotally connectedto the frame branch 428 at a hip pivot 434 and a lower support link 484pivotally connected to upper link 482 at knee pivot location 436. Theknee and hip pivots are generally aligned with the knees and hips,respectively, of a user standing on the foot supports 412, as well as,the hip pivot is in near vertical alignment with pivot locations 430located substantially above. Standing upon foot supports 412 the user isstill able to perform walking, striding, stepping, and climbingexercises simply by alternating their leg motion, same as done on device510. Each foot support 412 is fixed at an angle (e.g., perpendicular)relative to the lower support link 484 to follow the natural motion ofthe user's foot and a foot restraint 478 in the form of a toe kick,preventing the foot from sliding off from the foot support in theforward direction. Near the lower end of the lower support link is anattachment stud 446, which is round bar material fixed to andperpendicular to, and facing outward from the lower support link 484.The attachment stud 446 mates with the engagement plate 448 foundattached to the lowest end of support member 414, thus linking the legs400 to the suspension system 416 via support member 414. The engagementplates 448 each have a series of holes into which the user may insertthe attachment stud 446. Selecting an upper hole on the engagement plate448 gives the user greater vertical range of motion, which is bettersuited for jogging, stepping, and climbing exercises where the user'sknees and feet travel a greater vertical distance. A lower holeselection results in a lesser range of vertical movement, which isbetter suited for walking and gliding exercises.

Another modification of an exercise device according to the presentinvention is shown in same FIGS. 24-28 b where device 410 and 510contain arm levers 490 that extend forwardly from upper links 482 at anangle (e.g., perpendicularly) to couple arm movements with legmovements, for example during striding, stepping, and walking exercises.Levers 490 are shown as nearly straight bars or poles extendingforwardly from an upper end of link 482, but can be bent or curved orattached anywhere along upper link 482 at any desired angularorientation. The upper link 482 and arm levers attached, always move,during any exercise, regardless of whether the foot supports 412 moveonly back and forth or only up and down; this allows the user the optionof enjoying an upper body workout during any exercise

A resistance means may be added to the legs 400 to resist movement inthe horizontal or back and forth motions. It is natural to feel anincreased resistance against horizontal movement as the incline oftravel increases, therefore a horizontal resistance means 440, as shownon device 410 in FIG. 25 and means 441, as shown on device 410 in FIG.25 c, are add to the device. Frictional resistance added to the movementof the upper links 382 or to the suspension system, is a naturaladdition to the device. Both locations for adding resistance to thehorizontal movements offers the user the ability to change resistancesetting during any one of the exercises, by tightening or loosening acontrol knob. A friction disk and clamping mechanism to adjust the levelof resistance is just one of many ways or types of resistance that couldbe incorporated into these exercise devices.

Another modification of this device would feature independent left andright foot supports that are not forced to maintain opposite back andforth movement, which may use resistance means that may influencebackward, as well as, forward travel. It is desirable to have resistanceagainst rearward travel, for the purpose of simulating uphill travel toincrease the challenge to those muscles used to propel the body forwardwhen standing upright. Resistance against forward leg movement simulatestraveling downhill. Resistance against both rearward and forward legtravel simultaneously, may simulate travel, for example, of walking onsand or in mud. It should be appreciated that different types ofresistance, such as, linear or variable resistance or the differentdegrees of resistance by two opposing directions at the same time, maybe preferred to achieve the type of simulation desired by the user.

As legs 400 offer many advantages to the basic exercise device 310, itshould be known that other types of legs made up of linkages withpivoting parts, or components that may telescope, may be configured tooffer the same or similar benefits. As shown in FIG. 27, a modified leg500 is featured using a single flexible member with a hip pivot 534 anda foot support 512 attached to the lower end. As leg member 520 flexesduring upward lift, the affixed foot support 588 is forced to changeangular position, which nearly will follow the natural tilt of theuser's foot as the foot platform elevation raises and lowers.

FIGS. 25 a-25 c, illustrate some of the movement patterns obtainablewhen using the exercise device, as well as the angular position of thefoot supports at various leg positions during certain modes ofoperation. FIG. 25 a illustrates device 410 functioning in a walking orjogging mode, were the foot supports travel freely in an elliptical pathP1 defined by the user to simulate natural movement of the feet duringwalking, jogging or running mode. Walking follows a movement patternsuch that the elliptical path is flatter and shorter. Jogging requires amovement pattern that is still somewhat short in length and long inheight. Running takes an even longer and higher stride.

FIG. 26 b shows the device 410 operating in a stepping or climbing mode,where the foot support movement path P2 is mostly up and down; and FIG.26 c shows the device 410 operating in the cross country skiing orgliding mode, where the movement path P3 is mostly back and forth.

Simulation of level, downhill, and uphill travel shown in FIGS. 23-23 b,can be simulated, as well, on devices utilizing alternative leg members,as shown in FIGS. 28-28 b, as is the case, without alternate legmembers. The arm poles 490 give a means to which the upper body canbenefit from the various simulations listed above. For example, thedownhill simulation mode shown in FIG. 28 a causes the user to have tolean forward whereby the user supports some of his weight against thearm poles 490. In this mode the chest and triceps, as well as othermuscles enjoy the benefits of the resistance. The uphill simulationmode, as shown in FIG. 28 b, causes the user to lean back, whereby theuser engaging the arm poles 490 takes on having to support some bodyweight by having to pull on the arm poles. In this mode, the user worksshoulders, back and bicep muscles, to name a few.

FIG. 31 shows a modified foot support 612 that allows the user to engagethe pivotal pedal 520 located at the heel of the foot support 612. Theadvantage of operating the exercise device, whereby the user standsupright turned a 180 degrees from the typical forward facing position,is to give the user a vertical range of motion greater than can be hadfacing forward. The heel of the foot support 612 will travel a greaterdistance vertically as a result of the bending and/or flexing of thealternative leg members 400 and 500 relative to position of their pivotpoints 434 and 534 upon the frame. The greater vertical range of motionmakes a more challenging climbing exercise mode. In this position,facing rearward and standing on the pivoting pedals 520, the user mayengage the arm handles 382 shown in FIG. 30. Stirrups 610 prevent theuser's feet from sliding off the pivoting pedal during the exercise.When not in use, the pivoting pedal 520 may be rotated such that thestirrup 610 faces downward and out of the way, and the flat underportion surface of the pedal is positioned upward and flush with the topsurface of the foot support 612 to support the user's heel duringregular operation.

As an additional feature, a safety device or mechanism, shown in FIG.19, can be fitted to the exercise device, and coupled to the suspensionsystem, whereby the foot supports 312, 412, 512 and 612 can be heldnearly still during the sometimes unsteady time when the user mounts anddismounts the machine. The time during which one foot is planted on thefoot support and the other is not in contact with either the floor orother foot support is a time in when the engaged foot support may swingaway from the non-planted foot, giving the user a sense of instability.The additional safety device remains engaged, clamping for example, oneof the suspension disks 355 to the pivot arm 318. Clamping these twoelements together causes the suspension system to lock, thereforepreventing the movement of the support members 314 and 414, andtherefore holding still the foot supports. Clamping of the mechanism maybe done using a spring to force the mechanism into the clamping mode.Disengaging the clamp would occur upon the addition of weight applied bythe user standing upon both foot supports, thus making the system workin automatic fashion. The weight of the user upon the foot supportscauses there to be significant tension in cord 370, which carries theload of the user. An idler pulley pushing against the cord and indentingits path is forced to do so by the force created by the clamping spring.The idler pulley is positioned to have a significant mechanicaladvantage over the clamping spring by having a location a greaterdistance away from the pivot point on a lever arm. The weight of theuser upon the foot supports, thus increasing the tension on the cord 370forcing the idler pulley to draw inward, causing the lever arm to pivot,and thus disengaging the clamping mechanism, and freeing up thesuspension system for operation.

From the above, it will be appreciated that the exercise deviceaccording to the present invention permits a user to stand upright on apair of foot supports suspended from a suspension system attached to aframe or directly to an alternative leg element attached to a frame andcontrolled by the suspension system, whereby a user can perform walking,striding, stepping, and climbing exercises, without mechanicallyadjusting the device. It will also be appreciated that the invention maybe integrated into another device where horizontal and verticalmovements are had and whereby the same device can utilize the inventionas a means for assisting, controlling, interlinking, or resisting all orcertain movement made by that device. It will also be appreciated thatthe invention while having been shown as having twin featuresinterlinked to one another and operating in opposite movement patternsfrom one another, can as well, be a single unit. The use of a singleunit may have applications, as well in the exercise field, where freemovement is desired coupled with resistance means to offer resistance inany direction of movement throughout that free movement. For example, amulti functional exercise gym device, offering many different exercises,could feature the invention, whereby the invention would offer the usertotal freedom of movement, to move in a path defined by the user,whereby resistance would be present at all times in both the horizontaland vertical directions. In such an application, a support membersimilar to component support member 314 shown in FIG. 18, would ratherthan have a foot support attached, may have a handle bar, padded bar,handle, or foot strap to allow the user the ability to engage thesuspension system to simulate many different strength trainingexercises. It will also be appreciated that the suspension system can bepositioned on another plane, whereby for example; movement would beparallel to the floor. It will also be appreciated that the inventionmay be in a non-affixed position, where freedom of movement to cover alldirections, whereby total freedom of movement would bethree-dimensional.

It will be appreciated that the invention, which is a system that allowssimultaneous movements in different planes, can achieve this functionusing many different types of construction materials, and designconfigurations. The frame can have any configuration to support a userstanding on the foot supports, including, but not limited to,configurations wherein one or two uprights extend upwardly from ahorizontal base or configurations where the frame is part of the wall orceiling. Any suitable structural members can be used in fabricating theframe, but not limited to, solid or hollow members formed of metal,plastic or reinforced materials.

The suspension system, whether directly attached to foot supports orlinked to alternative leg members, may or may not link each foot supportto the other to ensure that opposite movement in either or both thehorizontal and/or vertical directions are maintained. The suspensionsystem may or may not be fitted with resistance means, as resistancemeans could attach to, for example, alternative leg members, yet stillinfluence movement. In addition, the suspension system may beresponsible for carrying the entire load of the user, partial load, ormay rely on a separate means to support the weight of the user.

The linkages making up the alternative leg members can be straight,curved, or angled and can be formed of any suitable material, such asplastic or reinforced plastic, in solid or hollow configurations. Whilethe linkages preferably include two links, it will be appreciated thatany number of links can be used to suspend the foot supports from theframe.

Applications for this invention may expand beyond the scope of theexercise field. As a non-impact, freeform or having paths of movementdirected by mechanical and/or computer programs, and having the abilityto accurately simulates many lower body movements each having manylevels of resistance available, as well as, many different combinationsof resistance affecting horizontal and/or vertical movement; this devicecan be greatly appreciated in the field of rehabilitation.

Another application for this invention could be in the field of virtualreality, where its use as an input device by a user to interact with acomputer for the purpose of training, entertainment, sport, exercise,rehabilitation, and/or media production could be enjoyed.

Another variation of the invention, shown as device 910 in FIG. 32,utilizes twin left and right dual carriage systems 916. The left andright carriage systems 916 each include a vertical carriage system 918that travels on a linear path directly up and down, and a horizontalcarriage system 955, which travels on a linear path back and forth on ahorizontal plane parallel to the ground. Each carriage system is coupledto there twin carriage counterpart, such that opposite movement ismaintained consistently throughout the entire ranges of motion. Thevertical travel carriage 918 of the left side is linked to the verticalcarriage 918′ of the right side, by way of a vertical drive cable 970.Vertical drive cable 970 is a short segment of cable that attaches toweldment brackets 919, that are affixed to the top outer edge of eachvertical left and right guide sleeve 918. Cable segment 970 links eachguide sleeve together by routing over idler pulleys 1972 which aremounted to the underside of the upper frame member 922, in such amanner, that when downward force is placed upon one side, the other sidereacts by being drawn upward an equal distance. Each left and rightguide sleeve 918 travels upon guide rods 930, which are positionedparallel to each other starting from their attachment to the frame base924 and run up and terminate upon their attachment to upper frame 922.The length of the guide rods 930 need only be long enough to allow avertical travel distance of the guide sleeves adequate enough to meetthe vertical displacement demand of the most demanding exercise. Affixedperpendicular to and directly forward from each left and right guidesleeve 918 is a horizontal guide rod 914, which are held in a parallelposition to the ground and are a length long enough to allow an adequaterange of back and forth motion of the guide sleeves 955. A low frictionbearing material, linear ball bearing, or rollers will be found betweenthe guide sleeves 918 and 955 and the guide rods 930 in order tomaintain consistent low friction travel throughout the travel path, aspressure between the guide sleeves 918 and guide rods 930 change asdownward forces greatly increase as the force is delivered further outon the cantilevering guide rods 914.

Horizontal left and right guide sleeves 955 are pivotally attach to thelower leg links 984 and slide upon the horizontal guide rods 914. Thelower leg links 984 are pivotally attached to the horizontal guidesleeves 955 so that the foot supports 912 may tilt along with the user'sfeet throughout the different exercise movements. Movement of each footsupport in the horizontal directions are held in an opposite movementpattern, as a result of, an inter linkage system between the left andright guide sleeves 955, consisting of ten idler pulleys and an endlessloop of cabling. The cable and pulley arrangement and the attachment ofthe cable to the guide sleeve 955 on one side of the device mirrors thearrangement on the other side. Opposite back and forth movement of theguide sleeves 955 is always maintained and not affected by the up anddown travel of the vertical guide sleeves 918. Force resisting members,shock absorption members and momentum simulation devices may be added toenhance the effectiveness, safety, realism, and performance of thisdevice. As leg members 900 are shown in FIG. 32, it must be appreciatedthat similar performance can be had on this device without theirpresence.

An exercise device 710, as seen in FIG. 33, uses a flexible linkage baras a replacement for the leg linkages. The flexible bar 714, same as leglinkages, cause foot platforms to stay in near perfect alignment withthe users feet regardless of the exercise movement pattern. A suspensionsystem could be coupled to the rearward positioned telescoping tubes 720to make available the different exercise options as described earlier.

An exercise device, generally indicated 810, according to the presentinvention, as shown in FIGS. 34-39, features a device similar in generalstructure to device 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-10, however, there areseveral modifications found on this device 810 which, when implementedalone or in combination, further enhance the performance and improvesimulation accuracy. The first modification comes with the addition ofthe horizontal movement isolation system 870, which will only activatethe horizontal resistance system 880, causing resistance againstrearward horizontal movement, when the lower leg linkage 830 travelrearward along the horizontal plane. The horizontal movement isolationsystem 870 will deactivate the horizontal resistance system 880 when thefoot platforms 828 move in pure up and down fashion, such is the casewhen in stepper mode. Such a system, which provides resistance to thehorizontal movement of the user's feet, yet does not apply resistance tothe vertical movement of the user's feet, has been found to improvesimulation of natural exercises. A separate source of resistance forresisting vertical downward movement will later be described. Toinitiate and maintain forward travel when performing natural exercises,the lower body must first overcome the forces that hold the body atrest, then it must overcome the forces of gravity and friction whichoppose continuous travel. An effective method of simulating thosenatural forces present against the body when initiating and maintainingforward motion is to cause the foot platforms 828 to move rearwardagainst a resisting force. FIG. 38 illustrates how the rotation of theflywheel pulley 841 translates into the rotation of flywheel tube 842.The illustration of flywheel pulley 841 in FIG. 38 shows an alternativepulley design having multiple grooves, sometimes referred to in theindustry as a “Poly-V type” pulley, which would be activated by a“Poly-V Belt” 886 rather than a cord. Alternative transmission productssuch as chain and sprocket would also suffice, but would be noisierduring operation.

I have found it generally desirable to have resistance against therearward moving leg while having no resistance against the forwardmoving leg, Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, an internal flywheeltube 842 is telescopically fitted within bridge tube 820 with a smallgap to permit rotation therein as a flywheel. End caps 849 are disposedat opposite ends of flywheel tube 842, and a shaft 843 extends throughthe flywheel tube via openings in the end caps. In the configurationshown, shaft 843 is comprised of two shaft portions arranged end-to-endwith outer ends of the shaft portions mounting drive pulleys 841 andinner ends of the shaft portions juxtaposed within a clutch/bearinghousing 845. The clutch/bearing housing 845 is shown as a cylindricalmember secured within flywheel tube 842 and having a bore formed therethrough in coaxial relation to the flywheel tube. Each half of shaft 843extends from an end cap 849 into the bore formed through housing 845.One-way clutches 844 are mounted on housing 845 against the shaftportions to permit rotation of the shaft portions in one direction andresist rotation in the opposite direction. Needle-Roller ClutchBearings, such as manufactured by Torrington Company, are an example ofa suitable one-way clutch for this purpose. The Needle-Roller ClutchBearing drives the shaft in one direction, yet free-wheels in theopposite direction. Circular shoulders are formed in the housing atopposite ends of the bore to mount ball bearings 847 to further reducefriction and to ensure that the shaft and clutch remain in closeparallel alignment. The drive pulley 841 is affixed to the shaft 843 andthe opposite end is inserted through the clutch 844, which has beenpress fit into the clutch/bearing housing 845. The clutch/bearinghousing is generally in a central location within and affixed to theinternal flywheel tube 842. To hold each left and right shaft 843 alongthe center axis and parallel to the internal flywheel and frame tube820; end caps 849, mounted within each end of the internal flywheel andhaving low friction bores, as well as, end caps 851 with low frictionbores mounted at each end of the frame tube, together act to ensure thatthe internal flywheel maintains a centered and parallel position withinthe frame tube. As an inexpensive method of producing friction againstthe rotation of the internal flywheel, an optional belt 898, as shown inFIGS. 38 & 39, can be wrapped around the internal flywheel. The belt 898is at one end attached to the frame tube 820 to the upper side of a slotcut out of the back of the frame tube. The belt 898 then encircles theinternal flywheel 842, and clears the inside surface of the frame tube820, then the belt exits the frame tube at the bottom of the slot headedupward and back over the first mentioned belt attachment point. As belttension is increased by pulling the second exit end of the belt 898,greater resistance is applied in braking fashion against the internalflywheel 842, which in turn generates greater resistance against therearward moving leg of the user. To ensure the level of resistance ismore evenly maintained as the belt is in tension, a spring, such as thespring 899 may be used to more uniformly transfer the pulling forceinitiated by the user. In FIG. 38, the belt 898 is shown to be installedat a center of frame location, yet may be installed off center, whichmay aid in the installation of a manual control belt tension mechanismif mounted to a forward position on the frame or perhaps mounted to anarm pole 826. It should also be appreciated that other friction ornon-frictional means could substitute the brake strap method of applyinga braking force opposing the rotation of the flywheel. While it ispossible to mount one or more flywheels externally of the bridge tube,it will be appreciated that use of an internal flywheel reduces visualclutter and results in quieter operation of the exercise device.

The horizontal isolation system 870 of device 810, shown best in FIGS.36-37, produce isolated horizontal resistance through the use of thefollowing variety of components pivotally linked together in such amanner as to only engage resistance from the horizontal resistancesystem 880 when horizontal rearward movement of the foot platforms 828occurs. Description of the skiing exercise mode, an exercise havingnearly pure back and forth horizontal foot movement, will most clearlydemonstrate how this horizontal isolation system 870 works to engageresistance only as the foot platforms 828 move rearward. The skiingexercise mode is performed on these devices by the user standinggenerally upright upon the foot platforms 828 and generally maintainedin a fully lowered position and caused to swing in a back and forth arcabout a the hip pivot 824. Throughout this swinging movement, each upperlinkage 832 and each lower linkage 834 generally hold in a fixedposition to each other whereby there angled position to each other aboutthe knee pivot 836 remains generally the same. The knee linkagecomponent 833 is the first member of the horizontal isolation system 870to engage the leg linkages 830. More specifically, the knee linkagecomponent 833 is indirectly affixed to the lower link 834 through kneepivot rod 836 upon which both the lower link 834 and the knee linkageare affixed and thus rotate about the knee pivot in perfect unison. Inthis device 810, the lower link 834 is welded to the knee pivot rod 836,which same rod 836 is pivotally attached to the lower end of the upperlinkage 832 which same end has a housing tube containing a bearingsleeve or two maximum spaced ball bearing unto which the knee pivot rodpasses through and beyond. The portion of the knee pivot rod 836 thatextends beyond the housing becomes the attachment platform onto whichthe knee linkage component 833 is affixed. Preferred methods ofattachment between the two components include, but are not limited to,welding, use of setscrews, keyway, or any other method that does notallow much slippage. Even small amounts of slippage or sloppiness withinthe early part of this system will become magnified and result in theearly span of backward movement having no resistance, then a suddenonset of resistance will occur resulting in a somewhat uncomfortablejarring affect upon the user. The next component of the system is alinkage bar 872 consisting of a rigid material, such as steel bar, whichpreferably will not flex under the forces of compression, which will acton this link as the horizontal resistance system 880 engages. At oneend, this linkage bar 872 is pivotally connected to the knee linkagecomponent 833 a few inches away in the rearward direction from the kneepivot axis 836, while the opposite end engages the pivotally attachedlift arm 882. The lift arm 882, the third element of this system, hasone end pivotally attached at the hip pivot 824 and the other end, asubstantial distance away, pivotally attached to the belt/flat springmount 887. This lift arm component 882 is caused into rotating actionthrough the pushing action of the linkage bar 872 which, again, ispivotally attached to this lift arm 882, a distance similar to thedistance between the knee pivot 836 and the union point between the kneelinkage component 833 and the linkage bar 872. Therefore, it should beunderstood that as the leg linkages swing back and forth during theskiing mode, the three main components 833, 872, and 882 of thehorizontal isolation system 870 are forced to move together as one,about the hip pivot 824. As the lift arm 882 is forced to move theattached belt/flat spring mount 887 in an up and down arc pattern aboutthe hip pivot, the stage is set, whereby the transmission belt may beattached to the belt/flat spring mount 887, and caused to pull and drivethe drive pulley 841 to rotate and engage the horizontal resistancesystem 880. From the belt/flat spring mount 887 upon which thetransmission belt is affixed at one end, the transmission belt 886 isthen directed downward, around and underneath, from the forward side ofthe idler pulley 883, which rotates freely around the piston mount rod821, then the transmission belt 886 travels up to and around the drivepulley 841 before finally traveling downward and attaching to the unionbridge mount 889. The union bridge, if made heavy enough, can produceenough tension on the transmission belt whereby the transmission beltcould cause the drive pulley 841 to rotate, however as the transmissionbelt is quickly drawn forward, as the user swings the leg linkagesforward, the momentum of the upward traveling weight, would continue tocarry the weight upward even after the forward leg swing reaches thepoint in which its direction changes. Therefore, slack would exist inthe transmission belt and the belt would not be able to drive the drivepulley until the weight changes direction and is able to generate enoughforce back onto the transmission belt. Another method, would include anextension spring or stretch cord, which would have to be long enough,whereby the pre-stretch in the spring would generate enough force on thetransmission belt to drive the drive pulley, yet not generate to great apulling tension against the transmission belt at the end of the stroke,as the spring or stretch cord is stretch to its maximum point. Theproblem with this arrangement is that the tension would increase as theelement is stretched, which would produce an undesirable type ofresistance on the user or would require the use a stretch element longenough that the margin of stretch would not produce a significantincrease in tension during the entire stretch span. To satisfy thisrequirement would require the use of lengthy stretch elements orcomplicated linkages or block and tackles linked to a shorter stretchelement. Another option would be to use a constant stretch spring, whichcould satisfy the requirements that would allow for comfortable use anda means to allow the full range of passage by the transmission beltwhile keeping belt under a consistent minimum level of tension. Theproblem with the constant force spring is that the component is costlyand has a relatively short life span.

One end of the flat spring 884 is affixed to the belt/flat spring mount887 forward to the transmission belt 886, which piggybacks the flatspring 884. The flat spring 884 then drops downward passing in front ofthe idler pulley 883 and terminates at the belt/flat spring bridge 889.Before the final union is made attaching the flat spring 884 and thetransmission belt 886 to the union bridge mount 889, tension is set intothe system. Tension can be set by shortening the transmission belt 886about the union bridge mount 889 causing the flat spring to flex untiladequate tension is created upon the transmission belt 886 by the flatspring, creating enough frictional force to drive the drive pulley 841.The flat spring 884 must also be rigid enough to be able to reset thesystem as the lift arm pushes the flat spring 884 downward, as the leglinkages return in the forward direction. As the lift arm 882 rotatesdownward during the return stroke, compression forces increase upon theflat spring 884, which pulls on the transmission belt 886. Tension inthe belt must be great enough to resist the creation of slack as thebelt passes the freewheeling drive pulley 841 as the return stroke is inprogress, and as the leg linkages 830 travel forward. If the flat spring884 is not rigid enough, it will over-flex under the pushing force,which will cause undesirable slack to form in the transmission belt 886,whereby the transmission belt will not have enough tension to drive thedrive pulley upon the initial part of the drive stroke cycle, wherebythe user would first experience non resistance then a sudden onset shockof resistance.

To control the rate that the user's foot drops vertically, a verticalresistance system is used and is illustrated on devices 810-810D inFIGS. 35-37 & 40-43, where each device is illustrated using the samesystem. The vertical resistance system used on this device generallyindicated 810, is very similar to the vertical resistance system usedearlier on device 10, as seen in FIGS. 1-10. As device 10 and 810 bothuse similar components, in virtually the same configuration, there is,however a difference in how the resistance is disbursed to the movementof the leg linkages. Device 10, as best illustrated in FIG. 4 positionsthe upper pull sprocket 84 in a more upward and forward location incomparison to the comparable upper pull spool 897 on device 810 bestillustrated in FIGS. 35 & 36. The more upward and forward thepositioning of the upper pull sprocket 84 of device 10, causes theresistance to be divided to both the downward and rearward movement ofthe user's feet. As device 810 is designed to more closely simulatenatural movement it is preferred that the hydraulic cylinder not provideresistance against rearward movement of the foot platforms 828, butremain the prime source of resistance or rate control for downwardvertical movement. Therefore, the position of the upper pull spool 828is more rearward, where the forward edge is in close vertical alignmentwith and above the hip pivot 824. At that location, only a small amountof horizontal resistance will influence rearward horizontal travel, yetonly when the knee pivot 836 is drawn significantly upward. Besides, thesmall amount of horizontal resistance coming from the verticalresistance system is acceptable, as significant upward knee travel whenhorizontal leg movement is had, simulates uphill travel, which sameuphill travel if simulated accurately, demands for there to exist aninitial presence of horizontal resistance. One important reason for theslight above the hip pivot location of the upper pull spool 828, is toprovide a small, yet sufficient window of opportunity, in which the legmembers 830 may straighten, free of resistance, at the knee pivot 836,as the leg of the user nears the forward most position, toward the endof the return stroke. In other words, the design challenge for thisdevice 810 was to be able to provide resistance against the leg linkagesstraightening from a bent position during rearward movement such as whenwalking, jogging, and running; or during pure vertical movement such aswhen stepping, yet allow resistance-free leg straightening as the legstraightens from a bent position during the return stroke of a walking,jogging or running mode. Resistance-free leg straightening during theforward leg stroke of the walking type exercises, is provided; as theknee pivot 836 is moving forward and upward, slack in the flexibleligaments 891 & 891′ begins to form as the distance between the spool823 and the knee pivot 836 shortens; this slack allows the knee tostraighten without creating tension on the system.

Another similarity between this device 810 and device 10 is that bothdevices use of a system to promote additional lifting force upon thefoot platform 828 opposite the foot platform being forced downward bythe user exerting downward foot pressure. As the hydraulic cylinders 890contain return springs to cause the extension rods to retract towardtheir reset position, this same force provides some lifting force on thefoot platforms 828, but not enough to cause the foot platforms tomaintain adequate underfoot tension to remain in position under theuser's foot when quick movement or a high stepping foot pattern isperformed. Certainly, the hydraulic cylinders 890 could be equipped withhigher tension springs to provide enough upward lift of the footplatforms, however, the negative side-affects make this not thepreferred solution. One of the disadvantages to using higher tensionsprings within the cylinders would make mounting the device moredifficult as the foot platforms would be driven upward to a heightchallenging the ability of the user to be able to comfortably lift hisor her foot to the needed height to be able to engage and stand uponeach foot platform 828. Dismounting the machine would also be difficultfor similar reasons as mounting. Another disadvantage would be anuncomfortable and constant over exertion of the foot platform againstthe underside of the user's foot, experienced by the user during thevarious exercise modes, which would also cause premature muscle fatigueof certain leg muscles.

The foot lift enhancement system used on this device 810, and bestillustrated in FIGS. 37 & 38 consists of an extension spring 850generally center mounted between and attaching to a left and right cablesegment 896. Each cable segment 896 partially encircles an idler pulley852, which directs the cable 896 to a termination point up and over theupper pull spool 895 and attached thereto. The extension spring 850 willbecome most stretched as both foot platforms are fully lowered. Springshaving different lengths and stress range characteristics providediffering results on this device. The spring 850 must not have a lengthto great, at full stretch, when foot platforms 828 are fully lowered,that interference with the idler pulleys would occur as maximum legswing is had. The spring 850 must also be strong enough to causeadequate foot platform lift as the user reaches maximum foot height. Forthe beginner or less agile user it may be preferred to have little or noinfluence by the foot lift enhancement system as this user may onlycause or desire that the foot platforms 828 lift a small amount, andfurther this user may not feel comfortable with the addition foot liftpressure under foot. On the other hand, a user having greater fitnessability may want a higher performance acting foot platform 828 whichwould give the user a sense of security that the foot platform wouldremain under foot under quick movements and high vertical foot liftingaction. Therefore, knowing individuals have different preferences itwould be an advantage and should be appreciated that a spring withadjustable tension could be easily made apart of this device. It shouldalso be appreciated that other types of springs or more than one couldbe used. For example, a compression spring could be used where the leftand right cable segments could pass through bypassing each other andthen each passing through and terminating against a cable spring stop.This spring may nearly fully compress when both foot platforms are fullylowered. It should also be appreciated that a flexible linkage possiblymade out of fiberglass could be mounted having a center pivot attachedto the frame bridge tube 820 whereby the idler pulleys 852 and spring850 could be eliminated. Further, it may be advantageous to replace oruse in conjunction with a spring, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder toachieve different performance goals.

Device 810E in FIG. 47 shows another spring, cable, and pulleyconfiguration for the foot lift enhancement system, which enables theuser to select a preset spring tension to best suit a desired fitnesslevel and/or to make easier the mounting and dismounting of the device.Selecting a preset spring tension may on this device be achieved byvarying the degree of stretch of extension spring 850G, then holdingthat stretch length, by pinning or clamping the free upper end of spring850G to cord 896E or to rod or chain which cord 896E may attach.Stretching the spring 850G lengthens the overall length of the cord 896Eassembly therefore reducing the overall lifting tension upon the lowerleg linkages causing the foot platforms to remain in a general lowerposition. Conversely, a preset spring tension, whereby the spring 850Gis held in a low or non-stretched state will create a shortened overallcord 896E assembly length and will translate to a more responsive,dynamic overall degree range of knee bending or foot platform lift speedand height.

An optional leg interlink safety system 840 has also been incorporatedinto device 810, as best illustrated in FIGS. 36, 39 & 44A-C, that issimilar in purpose to the previously illustrated and discussed devicesutilizing such a safety means, which prohibits the user from being ableto simultaneously in uncontrolled fashion, move both foot platforms 828in the same direction, which could result in the user losing balance andsustaining injury. This device 810, again uses a system very similar inappearance to the system 70 of device 10, best illustrated in FIGS. 2 &3, as well as, integrates aspects of device 10F, best illustrated inFIG. 14. In addition to using elements from devices 10 & 10F on thisdevice 810, this safety system is indirectly linked to each set of leglinkages through attachment to the horizontal isolation system 870.Attachment of the linkage bar 866 to the pivot bar 872 at pivotalattachment point 867 provides improved performance over the otherdevices of this general invention. As the leg linkages swing back andforth and the horizontal isolation system is engaged whereby the pivotbar 872 swings back and forth about hip pivot 824, attachment of thesafety/suspension system 840 to the pivot bars 872 prevents the footplatforms 828 from uncontrollably moving simultaneously in the samedirection. (Device 810A in FIG. 41 offers a more simplified version ofthe horizontal isolation system 870 which may provide a betterunderstanding of the benefit of using the pivot bar generally indicated872 as an attachment point for the linkage bars 866A of thesafety/suspension system.) Before further discussion of the significanceand advantage of these two systems being linked together, discussion ofthe components and operation of the basic safety/suspension system shallbe explored.

FIG. 39 shows one method by which safety/suspension system 840 may bemounted to the frame of the exercise device, generally indicated 810.The safety/suspension system 840 is mounted to the frame channel 822 byway of a bolt passing through the center pivot point 861 of thesafety/suspension system 840, which passes through the bearing disk 862,and then the frame channel 822 where the bolt is held into place by alock nut. The lock nut is tightened just enough to disallow up and downmovement of the safety/suspension swing plates 863 & 864, yet allow freeback and forth movement. The frame channel 822 unto which thesafety/suspension system 840 is pivotally mounted is welded to theunderside of frame bridge tube 820 at a middle or centered location. Thebearing plate 862 sandwiched between the safety/suspension system 840and the frame channel 822 is provided to reduce friction and noisebetween these moving parts.

FIG. 44A shows the safety/suspension system 840 in a neutral position.Neutral position is the position upon which the user stands in avertical upright position relative to a position when standing uprighton a level surface plane. Further, in this neutral position, the pivotattachment point of the pivot bars to the safety/suspension plates 863 &864, are at or near straight alignment with the center pivot axis 861.The only way to cause this neutral position to change is tosimultaneously pull or push the left and right hand linkage bars 866.The left and right hand safety/suspension plates 863 & 864 are held in atight rigid position against rotating upon each other about their centerpivot location 861, due to the use of the dual hydraulic cylinders, eachattaching one safety/suspension plate to the other. Each of thehydraulic cylinders 853 with return springs are of a different variety,where one is an extension type and one is the compression type, whereeach are designed to require the same force to manipulate or move theextension rod. If both of these cylinders where forced to be mounted toshare two individual bars each inserted through each mounting post,where the bars would be held parallel to each other and perpendicular tothe cylinders, and where each cylinder would lay parallel to oneanother. The result would be that the bars would be held a distance fromone another equaling the length of each cylinder, plus the extension roddistance when half way out from each cylinder. The bars would also be ina very rigid holding pattern from one another and could only be pushedtoward or pulled away from each other in a slow controlled fashion, inthat in either direction, at least one of the cylinders is controllingthe rate of movement.

As FIG. 44A shows the safety/suspension system 840 in neutral position,FIG. 44B shows what the system looks like when the user is in rearwardtilt or uphill climbing position. Further, FIG. 44C shows system 840position when user is tilted forward or is in the downhill body tiltangle.

In this dual cylinder arrangement, components are held very firm wherebythe pivotal attachment points of various components are forced againsteach other, therefore eliminating sources of sloppiness or play in thesystem. In a more simplified embodiment, safety/suspension system 840E,in FIG. 45A achieves similar results, through the use of a single dualaction hydraulic cylinder 853. The dual action cylinder 853 of thissystem 840E, holds the safety/suspension plates in a firm relationshipto one another and resists sudden movement against the user pullingforward or backward, same as in device 840, which only allows gradualtilting of the users upright position. The spring 859 shown in FIG. 45,may be added to counterbalance the slight back tilting influence of thevertical resistance system due to the slight above hip pivot positioningof the upper pull spool 897.

Another variation of a safety/suspension system, illustrated at 840F inFIG. 45B, shows a manually activated brake 879 and a ball detent 878 tosecure and maintain the tilt of the user by forcing or encouraging theangle of the safety/suspension plates 863 & 864 to maintain theirposition relative to each other, whereby the user does not have tomaintain their position through the steady hold of body weight. Thebrake 879 engages adjacent edges of the plates and is activated via alever and cable assembly that can be mounted on an arm extension asshown, the frame, or anywhere else within the reach of the user.Although the device in FIG. 45B is shown having both a brake and a balldetent mechanism, it will be appreciated that device could include oneor both of these features.

FIG. 40 shows another modification of an exercise device according tothe present invention, designated as 810B, that is similar to the deviceshown in FIG. 35 but with an alternative method of engagement of thehorizontal resistance system 880. Used instead of the lifting arm 882 asone of the primary components of the horizontal isolation system 870,generally indicated as a component of device 810 in FIG. 35, the liftingarc 873 is used to pull the transmission belt 886B to indirectly drivethe drive pulley 841, which engages the horizontal resistance system880. As the leg linkages swing rearward, the lifting arc 873 pulls thetransmission belt 886B as the lifting arc is forced to rotate forwardabout the hip pivot as the leg linkages 830 swing rearward. The rotationof the lifting arc 873 provides a consistent platform upon which thetransmission belt will indirectly drive the drive pulley 841. As thelifting arc 873 has a relatively small radius, small so as not tointerfere with the user, the amount of pulling distance upon thetransmission would be too small to cause the flywheel of the horizontalresistance system 880 to rotate enough to generate the desiredresistance curve. Therefore, as a method of gearing up the performance,or amplify the minimal pulling capacity of the lifting arc 873, asub-drive pulley or cam 844 affixed or coupled to a large drive disk 881has been added to this device 810B. If utilizing the horizontalresistance system 880, featuring the one-way clutches bearings mountedinternally within the flywheel 842, as shown in FIG. 38, then thesub-drive pulley 841 would be affixed to the drive disk. Therefore, inuse, the sub-drive pulley and drive disk would rotate counterclockwisein the drive mode or as the leg linkages 830 travel rearward, and wouldthan reverse direction and travel clockwise as the reset spring 884Bresets the system.

A more efficient system using generally the same components shown inFIG. 40, would consist of the relocating of the one-way clutchesbearings 844 to a press mounted location within each sub-drive pulley.Relocating the one-way clutch bearings allows for a more simplifiedflywheel assembly, eliminating the need for the clutch/bearing housing845 and dual shafts 843. Noise created by the free-wheeling clutchbearings is much less a concern in this design configuration due to themuch slower frequency in which the one-way clutch bearings will operate,due to the relatively short arc, therefore pulling distance created bythe lifting arc 873. With the one-way clutch bearings 844 relocatedwithin the sub-drive pulleys 841 the drive disk 881 must be detachedfrom the sub-drive pulley, now that the drive disk will operate in acontinuous counterclockwise direction. Continuous rotation of the drivedisks 881, rather than rotating forward and backward, allows the drivedisks to contribute to the flywheel's momentum, which enables fluidoperation of this device.

The sub-drive pulley with the internally mounted one-way clutches willinfluence the drive disks 881 to rotate counterclockwise as the clutchesgrip the hollow shaft affixed to the drive disk which both rotate freelyabout the piston mount rod 821.

FIG. 41 shows yet another modification of an exercise device, designated810A, which is similar to the devices described above, but with a morebasic mechanism for isolating and activating horizontal resistance.Before describing the method of operation of this horizontal resistancesystem 880A, Illustrated in FIG. 41 the horizontal movement isolationsystem 870A features a left and right hand pivot bar or tube 872A, whichis pivotally mounted near or to the hip pivots 824A, and extendsdownward toward the ground or may indirectly route to a point at orbelow the lowest dropping point of each foot platform 828A. Mounted toeach foot platform or near to it, are affixed guide rollers 874A and875A which are spaced such as to surround and hold firm pivot bar 872A,yet allow foot platforms 828A to be able to lift and lower in freeunrestricted fashion. It should be appreciated that the pivot bar 872Acould be constructed using telescoping members, whereby the rollers 874A& B could be eliminated, as one telescoping member would pivotallyattach near or at the foot platform. It should also be appreciated thatlow friction guide members could be substituted for the rollers. Now,looking at FIG. 41, one can see that the foot platforms 828A can move upand down in stepper mode fashion while not causing the pivotal movementof pivot bar 872A, which when left undisturbed will not engagedresistance system 840A. Pivot bar 872A is linked to horizontalresistance system 880A directly from the extension arm 873A, which isaffixed to the pivot bar 872A at one end, where the opposite end isattached to the resistance pull cord 886A. The attachment point betweenthe extension arm 873A and the pull cord 886A should be a distance greatenough away from the hip pivot, where the arc distance of travel isgreat enough to cause adequate rotation of the internal flywheel,located within frame bridge tube 820A. To successfully simulate humanforward travel on various sloped grades, a certain balance between theFlywheel mass, rotation speed and braking force against the flywheelrotation must be carefully considered. The resistance pull cord 886Awill activate the horizontal resistance system 880A as the pivot bar872A with affixed arm 873A rotate counterclockwise, thus pulling thepull cord 886A. The pull cord 886A engages the horizontal resistancesystem 880A by engaging the drive pulley 841A after first encirclingidler guide pulley 883A. As the pull cord 886A is pulled by the pivotbar arm 873A, the frictional engagement between the pull cord and thedrive pulley 841A causes the drive pulley to rotate, which in turn,causes the internal frame tube flywheel 842 to rotate within the frametube 820A, as best seen in FIG. 39.

As the pull cord 886A, found in FIG. 41, engages the horizontalresistance system 880A, as the pivot bar pivots rearward, it should beunderstood that when the pivot bar pivots forward the flexible pull cordwould produce undesirable slack, however with the incorporation of aspring or spring-like element to maintain tension on the cord slack isavoided. Shown in this illustration, FIG. 41, is an extension spring884A that attaches at one end to the pull cord 886A and encircles anidler pulley 885A that is affixed near the lower portion of the frameupright tube 814A, then the spring or stretch cord attaches to thepiston mount 819A. This configuration enables a spring to havesufficient length such that the pulling distance of the pull cord willonly minimally stretch the spring 884A. Too short a spring, when fullystretched, would create to great a resisting force which would in turngenerate an undesirable rate and resistance curve against the rearwardmoving leg. Three other methods of maintaining proper tension on thedrive cord are illustrated in FIGS. 35, 40 & 47 as explained above.Other transmission methods could be adapted for this application, suchas: direct drive systems using gears or gear segments, sprockets, rack &pinions, bows & cord spools, counter weights and so forth.

Other sample methods used to isolate horizontal resistance areillustrated as FIGS. 42 & 43. The exercise device 810C shown in FIG. 42illustrates another variation of the horizontal isolation system 870C inwhich a mechanism causes the lift arm 882 to engage the horizontalresistance system 880. As is the case with devices 810 and 810B, thelift arm 882 is pushed upward by the upward moving pivot bar 872C as theleg linkages 830 swing rearward. Located and pivotally mounted to thelower end of the pivot bar 872C, is a pair of guide rollers 874C, heldin position by mounting plates 871, so that the guide rollers firmlyembrace the lower leg link tube 834C, yet only allows the lower linktube 834C to pass through when the lower link tube pivots up and downfrom the knee pivot 836. In stepper mode where activation of thehorizontal resistance system 880C is not wanted, the pivot bar remainsvirtually in stationary position as the foot platforms 828 move up anddown. As the foot platforms 828 move up and down, and the knee pivottravels upward, the lower leg link tube 834C passes through the guiderollers 874C, without causing the pivot bar 872C to move. Conversely, inthe ski mode, as the foot platforms 828 travel rearward while the upperand lower leg linkages 830 remain in affixed position to each other, thepivot bar 872C is forced to travel along with the rearward moving lowerleg tube 834C. The guide roller 874C remain held in the same positionabout the lower link tube 834C as the angle of the lower link tube doesnot allow the guide rollers to advance up the lower link tube.

Another method of influencing horizontal movement is illustrated asdevice 810D in FIG. 43. Featured in this device is the momentum weight885, which may be affixed or made part of the lifting arm 882D or may beremovable and re-attachable to positions varying from near to away fromthe hip pivot 824. The purpose of the momentum weight 885 is to add massto the horizontal isolation system 870D in a position generally aboveand rearward to the hip pivot to influence the rate of rearward legswing, as well as, assist in the forward return of the leg linkages 830Dwhich adds fluidity to the leg swing rhythm. As the momentum weight isor becomes a part of the lifting arm 882D of the horizontal isolationsystem 870D, the movement of the momentum weight 885 will occur onlywhen lower leg linkage 834 travels along the horizontal plane. Initiallyat the beginning of the exercise movement, the rearward moving leg ofthe user, experiences some resistance as the momentum weight 885 must beraised upward from a rest position. This raising of the momentum weight885 from an at rest position, simulates the force needed to move thebody forward from a rest position as one begins to walk or cross countryski in the natural world. Once the exercise has begun, the momentumweight 885 still further contributes to the simulation accuracy ofhorizontal travel, as the momentum weight 885 swings up and down as thelower leg linkage 834 swings back and forth. As the lower leg linkage834 completes the rearward stroke, the momentum weight 885′ will beginto fall, as gravity dictates, and the falling momentum weight 885′ helpsreturn the leg linkages 830 to the forward position. As the user beginsto drive the foot platform 828 rearward once again, the user will onceagain experience some resistance as the momentum weight 885 still has atthat point some forward momentum.

The use of the flat spring 884 as shown in FIGS. 35-37 & 42 has severaladvantages over the other methods described above in that 1) the flatspring 884 acts like a push rod enabling the transmission belt to drivethe drive pulley 841 as the lift arm 882 pulls the transmission belt886, then the flat spring pulls the transmission belt back through itsconfigured path to a reset position, 2) the flat spring creates andmaintains a near constant level of minimal tension adequate enough togenerate enough frictional force between the transmission belt and thedrive pulley to drive the drive pulley and further enough tension todisallow slack to be created in the transmission belt as the belt isforced to its reset position, yet not produce an excess of resistancewhich would diminish smooth operation; 3) the flat spring is caused toproduce an arc shape about which the transmission belt will follow,maintaining a near consistent pulling of the transmission beltthroughout the full range of motion.

Without the momentum weight 885 or horizontal resistance system 880 usedon the previously described devices, the user's feet would travelrearward too quickly and out of natural rhythm. Simulating a naturalrhythm will offer greater realism and comfort to the user. As the rateof descent of the lower linkage 834 slows down, as the verticalresistance system is increased, the need to control the rate ofhorizontal rearward movement becomes more important. If the user's legsswung backward at a rate much quicker than the feet drop, the resultwould be awkward and uncomfortable. Alone, as the only means toinfluence horizontal movement, the momentum weight 885 is an inexpensiveand effective means that will add a degree of simulation accuracy to theexercises, yet may further be married to the previous describedhorizontal isolation systems 870 to add further fluidity and consistentrhythm.

Changing the amount of weight of the momentum weight 885 and/or itsmounted position toward or away from the hip pivot 824 will have aninfluence on the amount of resistance the user may feel and thefrequency of the leg swing. The further away or the heavier the weight,the greater the momentum influence, whereby the frequency of the swingrhythm will slow down. A slower swing rate is more suited for walkingwhile a faster swing rate is more suited for running or fast crosscountry ski simulation. It should be appreciated that a moresophisticated version of this device could be produced where themomentum weight would automatically move toward or away from the hippivot to better suit the exercise mode selected by the user or bycomputer control. It should further be appreciated that the momentumweight could be attached toward the lower end of the transmission beltin a married format to a device, such as 810 in FIG. 35. The momentumweight may also be suspended from a linkage attached to the lift arm, tolower the center of gravity, making the device less top heavy.

It should also be appreciated that in any embodiment of the exercisedevice described herein, the horizontal isolation system 870-870D as amechanical system, could be replaced with a computer controlled systemable to sense the movement chosen by the user and select and apply aforce(s) against the movement of the appropriate leg linkagecomponent(s).

As mounting and dismounting from this device could be intimidating forcertain individuals it should be appreciated that elements could beadded to this device to make mounting and dismounting easier. One suchmethod would be to provide a raised platform independent to or apart ofthe lower frame, positioned just forward to the foot platforms when footplatforms are at rest position, whereby the mounting and dismountingheight is reduced. Another method could include a lever-activatedmechanism, which could draw down the foot platforms and hold in alowered position. In a more sophisticated device, the foot platformscould be lowered and held stationary automatically, when the user is noton the machine or when the user is not in exercise mode.

FIG. 46 illustrates arm handles, levers or poles 826, which are held intight position within a mounting holster, which is welded to the upperleg linkage. The mounting holster is provided with two separate andopposing screw clamping pins 835, which clamp against the base portionof the arm handle. Each screw clamping pin may be fine adjusted to causethe angle of the arm lever to change, or in other words the distance ofthe handle grips of the upper end of the arm handle to position neareror further from the user.

Referring again to FIG. 37, an arm pole 826 is shown in a folded downposition. Also shown in this Figure is a climbing pole 855 with handle856, which allows the user to perform a climbing exercise. It should beappreciated that other design variations could be had which provideclimbing handles, which may be linked to the frame and to and driven bythe lower leg linkages.

FIG. 47 shows yet another modification of an exercise device accordingto the present invention, designated 810E, which is similar to thedevice shown in FIG. 35, but with an alternative force transmissionassembly for the horizontal resistance mechanism. Instead of the flatspring and transmission belt assembly shown in FIG. 35, the horizontalresistance mechanism in FIG. 47 includes a flexible belt or cable 886Eextending downwardly from lift arm 882 to a pulley 883 mounted on frame812 at or near the point of attachment of cylinder 890. Cable 886E loopsunder pulley 883 and extends upwardly therefrom to pulley 841 thatdrives the flywheel via the one-way clutch. Cable 886E loops over pulley841 and extends downwardly therefrom to idler pulley 889 where it isredirected upwardly to a point of attachment A on frame 812. Idlerpulley 889 is mounted at the free end of an elastic spring or cord 884Ethat is fixed to the frame to create a generally constant tension incable 886E via the idler pulley to eliminate slack in the horizontalisolation system throughout the range of motion of the leg members. Itwill be appreciated that the spring-loaded cable and pulley assemblyshown and described engages the rest of the horizontal isolation systemto resist rearward movement of the user's legs while also assistingforward movement of the user's leg on the return stroke, while alsoresisting excessive forward movement and ease the change of directionduring an exaggerated forward stroke. If desired, a momentum weight canbe attached to lift arm 882 as shown in FIG. 43, or hanged from idlerpulley 883 or 889 on device 810E, to increase resistance to rearwardmovement of the user's legs and influence the rate of movement andchange of direction of the rearward and forward moving leg. Suspendingthe momentum weight from idler pulley 889 cuts the travel rate of themomentum weight in half, whereby greatly reducing the risk of over lift,as the weight is drawn upward by the rearward moving leg.

It should be further appreciated that any embodiments of the exercisedevice according to the present invention could be linked to a computersystem as an input device, to help generate perhaps a digital figure toprovide feedback to the user through a distant or head mountedmonitor(s) for the purpose of providing entertainment, training, orrehab biofeedback and such. To further aid in the versatility of thisdevice as an input tool for a computer, an under foot sensor could beinstalled under each of the user's feet to register a turning intent bythe user to add a turning dimension to the program.

It should be further appreciated that manual manipulation or computercontrolled devices can manipulate and adjust resistance sources and thesuspension system to produce a range of simulation possibilities tonumerous to list.

Details of the invention discussed above or shown in the accompanyingdrawings should be interpreted as illustrative only, as the scope of theinvention is not intended to be limited to the exact details shown ordescribed. For example, the components of the exercise device can bemade of any suitable materials and can be made of multiple parts ofvarious configurations to simplify assembly and/or reduce manufacturingand shipping costs. Furthermore, the features of the various embodimentsdescribed above can be combined to produce other embodiments that remainwithin the scope of the present invention.

The frame can have any configuration to support a user standing on thefoot supports including, but not limited to, configurations wherein oneor two uprights extend upwardly from a horizontal base or configurationswherein the frame is mounted on or part of a wall or ceiling. Anysuitable structural members can be used in fabricating the frameincluding, but not limited to, solid or hollow members formed of metal,plastic or reinforced plastic materials.

The links can be straight, curved or angled and can be formed of anysuitable material, such as metal, plastic or reinforced plastic, insolid or hollow configurations. While the linkages preferably includetwo links, it will be appreciated that any number of links can be usedto suspend the foot supports from the frame. Preferably, the upper andlower links correspond substantially in overall length to the length ofa user's upper and lower legs, respectively, to provide the greatestdegree of realism possible. One or both of the upper and lower links canbe configured to have an adjustable length, for example, by forming oneor both of the links using telescoping members which are threadedlyconnected so that users can change the length of the links to suit theirpreference. As mentioned above, the upper link can also be a trackdefining a path of movement of the pivoted upper end of the lower link.While such a track is shown and described herein as being formed ofsquare tubing, it will be appreciated that other configurations are canbe used including but not limited to, configurations wherein the rollerson each side the linkage rest upon separate tracks or configurationswherein the lower linkage is suspended from a bracket extending aroundthe track.

The foot supports can extend inwardly or outwardly of the linkages or bedisposed beneath, to the rear of or forwardly of the linkages. The lowerlinks can be attached to the foot supports near the fount, rear ormedial portions of the foot supports. The foot supports are preferablyprovided with foot restraints to, among other things, prevent the user'sfeet from sliding off the foot support platforms in a forward direction;however, foot supports without restraints can also be used. While footrestraints in the form of toe kicks and straps have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be appreciated that other types of foot restraintscan be used including, but not limited to, clips, suction devices andtacky surfaces. Foot restraints in the form of heel kicks may also beprovided on the rear or medial portions of the foot supports, ifdesired. The foot supports can be configured to be adjustable in termsof tilt relative to the lower links, for example by mounting the footsupports as shown in FIG. 36 so that they pivot about a point P on thelower links and are each held in place by a suspension cable C extendingfrom one of a series of point attachments A1, A2 or A3 on the link to apoint near a free end of the foot support. Moving the cable from onepoint on the link to another point on the link results in a differentdegree of tilt, thereby altering the attitude of the user's foot for acustomized workout. Alternatively, a suspension cable or threaded rod(s)with a turnbuckle or other tensioning device can extend from a fixedposition on the lower link to the foot support to permit tilt adjustmentof the foot support by loosening or tightening the suspension cable.

The horizontal resistance system and/or the safety/suspension system,when provided, can be configured such that one or more of theircomponents are concealed within the frame of the device, or withinshrouds that are attached to the frame of the device so as to concealsystem components.

In addition to the walking, stair climbing, running and cross-countryskiing motions described above, the exercise device according to thepresent invention facilitates skipping, dragging weight, leg extensionthrusts, hamstring, and steep hill climbing exercises. If provided witha seat, the exercise device also permits a user to perform realisticcycling exercises. The exercise device can be used for physical therapyand rehabilitation. Furthermore, if equipped with sensors, the exercisedevice could become part of a virtual reality system in which the user'smotions are sensed and used to create a virtual display.

Although this invention has been described in connection with specificforms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that variousmodifications other than those discussed may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example,functionally equivalent elements may be substituted for thosespecifically shown and described, and in the process method stepsdescribed, particular steps may be reversed or interposed, all withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in theappended Claims.

1. An exercise device comprising: a base member; a support mechanismconnected to said base member; a leg linkage mechanism coupled to saidsupport mechanism, said leg linkage mechanism defining a pair of leglinkages each having an upper leg linkage member with a first endpivotally coupled to said support mechanism and a second end directlypivotally coupled to a lower leg linkage member with a foot platformdisposed on a lower end of the lower linkage member; a drive systemrotationally coupled to said support mechanism and said leg linkagemechanism for selectively adjusting a displacement distance between saidfoot platforms and said base member; a suspension mechanism contiguousto and rotatable about a portion of said support mechanism and coupledto said lower leg linkage members for enabling guided movement of saidleg linkage mechanism; a leg interlink system including a pair oflinkage rods each rotationally coupled to a respective one of said upperleg linkage members of said pair of leg linkages for directionallyconstraining substantially opposite displacement of said leg linkageseach with respect to the other; whereby said foot platforms areselectively adjustable during exercise without stopping movement forvarying gaits of a user devoid of mechanical adjustment, said gaitscomprising walking, striding, stair stepping, or any combinationthereof; said support mechanism comprises a pair of upright members,each said upright member respectively extending from said base member, apair of frame extension members respectively extending from an upperportion of said upright member, and a bridge tube coupled to andextending between said upright members; and a spring bar coupled to saidbridge tube and a portion of said suspension mechanism, said spring barcontrolling a user's ability to simulate uphill and downhill travel bycontrollably angularly displacing said pair of leg linkage mechanisms insubstantially the same direction.
 2. The exercise device as recited inclaim 1, where said suspension mechanism is rotatable about said bridgetube to provide angular adjustment of said leg linkage mechanism withrespect to said frame extension members.
 3. The exercise device asrecited in claim 1, where each said leg linkage being pivotally coupledto said frame extension members by a bracket member.
 4. The exercisedevice as recited in claim 3, where each of said upper leg linkagemembers is pivotally coupled to said bracket member at upper endsthereof.
 5. The exercise device as recited in claim 1, where said drivesystem includes a pair of drive cords coupled each to the other atrespective first ends by a spring member, said spring member beingdisposed within said suspension mechanism, said pair of drive cords eachhaving a second end coupled to a respective one of said pair of leglinkages.
 6. The exercise device as recited in claim 1, where said leginterlink system includes a pair of sub linkage mechanisms eachrespectively pivotally coupling one of said upper leg linkage members toa respective one of a pair of linkage rods, said linkage rods beingcoupled each to the other by a swing bar.
 7. The exercise device asrecited in claim 6, where said swing bar includes a center distancepivot disposed in a tube housing forming a portion of said suspensionsystem.
 8. The exercise device as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga pair of resistance mechanisms each having respective first endscoupled to one of said frame extension members, each said resistancemechanisms having opposing second ends respectively coupled to each oneof said pair of leg linkages.
 9. An exercise device comprising: a basemember; a support mechanism connected to said base member; a leg linkagemechanism coupled to said support mechanism, said leg linkage mechanismdefining a pair of leg linkages each having an upper leg linkage memberwith a first end pivotally coupled to said support mechanism and asecond end directly pivotally coupled to a lower leg linkage member witha foot platform disposed on a lower end of the lower linkage member; adrive system rotationally coupled to said support mechanism and said leglinkage mechanism for selectively adjusting a displacement distancebetween said foot platforms and said base member; a suspension mechanismcontiguous to and rotatable about a portion of said support mechanismand coupled to said lower leg linkage members for enabling guidedmovement of said leg linkage mechanism; a resistance system coupled tosaid support mechanism for providing resistance to each one of said pairof leg linkages; a leg interlink system including a pair of linkage rodseach rotationally coupled to a respective one of said upper leg linkagemembers of said pair of leg linkages for directionally constrainingsubstantially opposite displacement of said leg linkages; whereby saidfoot platforms are selectively adjustable during exercise withoutstopping movement for varying gaits of a user devoid of mechanicaladjustment, said gaits comprising walking, striding, stair stepping, orany combination thereof; said support mechanism comprises a pair ofupright members, each said upright member respectively extending fromsaid base member, a pair of frame extension members respectivelyextending from an upper portion of said upright member, and a bridgetube coupled to and extending between said upright members; and a springbar coupled to said bridge tube and a portion of said suspensionmechanism, said spring bar controlling a user's ability to simulateuphill and downhill travel by controllably angularly displacing saidpair of leg linkage mechanisms in substantially the same direction. 10.The exercise device as recited in claim 9, where said suspensionmechanism is rotatable about said bridge tube to provide angularadjustment of said leg linkage mechanism with respect to said supportmechanism.
 11. The exercise device as recited in claim 9, furthercomprising a drive system coupled to said support mechanism forselectively adjusting a displacement distance between said leg linkagemechanism and a base surface upon which said support mechanism rests.12. The exercise device as recited in claim 9, where each of said leglinkages being pivotally coupled to said support mechanism by a bracketmember.
 13. The exercise device as recited in claim 12, where each ofsaid upper leg linkage members is pivotally coupled to said bracketmember at upper ends thereof.
 14. The exercise device as recited inclaim 12, where said resistance system includes a pair of gearmechanisms and a pair of first resistance elements, each of said gearmechanisms being coupled to a respective one of said bracket members,each of said first resistance elements including a resistance cord, eachof said resistance cords being coupled to a respective one of said pairof gear mechanisms.
 15. The exercise device as recited in claim 9, wheresaid leg interlink system includes a pair of sub linkage mechanisms eachrespectively pivotally coupling one said upper leg linkages to arespective one of a pair of linkage rods, said linkage rods beingcoupled each to the other by a swing bar.
 16. The exercise device asrecited in claim 15, where said swing bar includes a center distancepivot disposed in a tube housing forming a portion of said suspensionsystem.
 17. The exercise device as recited in claim 9, furthercomprising a pair of second resistance elements each having respectivefirst ends coupled to said support mechanism, each said secondresistance elements having opposing second ends respectively coupled toeach one of said pair of leg linkages.
 18. An exercise devicecomprising: a base member; a support mechanism connected to said basemember; a leg linkage mechanism coupled to said support mechanism, saidleg linkage mechanism defining a pair of leg linkages each having anupper leg linkage member directly pivotally coupled a lower leg linkagemember and a foot platform disposed on a lower end of said lower leglinkage member; a drive system rotationally coupled to said supportmechanism and said leg linkage mechanism for selectively adjusting adisplacement distance between said foot platforms and said base member;a resistance system coupled to said support mechanism for providingresistance to each one of said pair of leg linkages, said resistancesystem includes a pair of gear mechanisms and a pair of first resistanceelements, each of said gear mechanisms being coupled to a bracketmember, each of said first resistance elements including a resistancecord, each of said resistance cords being coupled to a respective one ofsaid pair of gear mechanisms; a pair of second resistance elements eachhaving respective first ends coupled to said support mechanism, eachsaid second resistance elements having opposing second ends respectivelycoupled to each one of said pair of leg linkages; a suspension mechanismcontiguous to and rotatable about a portion of said support mechanismand coupled to said lower leg linkage members for enabling guidedmovement of said leg linkage mechanism; said support mechanism comprisesa pair of upright members, each said upright member respectivelyextending from said base member, a pair of frame extension membersrespectively extending from an upper portion of said upright member, anda bridge tube coupled to and extending between said upright members; aspring bar coupled to said bridge tube and a portion of said suspensionmechanism, said spring bar controlling a user's ability to simulateuphill and downhill travel by controllably angularly displacing saidpair of leg linkage mechanisms in substantially the same direction; aleg interlink system including a pair of linkage rods each rotationallycoupled to a respective one of said upper leg linkage members of saidpair of leg linkages for directionally constraining substantiallyopposite displacement of said leg linkages; whereby said foot platformsare selectively adjustable during exercise without stopping movement forvarying gaits of a user devoid of mechanical adjustment, said gaitscomprising walking, striding, stair stepping, or any combinationthereof.
 19. An exercise device comprising: a frame; a support mechanismconnected to said frame; a pair of upper leg links each with a first endpivotally coupled to the frame and a second end distal to the first end;a pair of lower leg links each with a first end directly pivotallycoupled to the second end of the upper leg links and a second end distalto the first end of the lower leg links, the second end of the lower leglinks including a foot support; a drive system rotationally coupled toand mounted to said frame and coupled to each of the pair of lower leglinks for selectively adjusting a displacement distance between saidfoot supports and said frame; a suspension mechanism contiguous to androtatable about a portion of said support mechanism and coupled to saidlower leg links for enabling guided movement of both said upper leglinks and said lower leg links; a leg interlink system coupled to theframe and including a pair of linkage rods each rotationally coupled toeach of the pair of upper leg links for directionally constrainingsubstantially reciprocating movement of the pair of upper leg links;whereby said foot platforms are selectively adjustable during exercisewithout stopping movement for varying gaits of a user devoid ofmechanical adjustment, said gaits comprising walking, striding, stairstepping, or any combination thereof; said support mechanism comprises apair of upright members, each said upright member respectively extendingfrom said frame, a pair of frame extension members respectivelyextending from an upper portion of said upright member, and a bridgetube coupled to and extending between said upright members; and a springbar coupled to said bridge tube and a portion of said suspensionmechanism, said spring bar controlling a user's ability to simulateuphill and downhill travel by controllably angularly displacing saidpair of leg linkage mechanisms in substantially the same direction.